WALES

EU Grants and Loans

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons the amount of EU funding is shown as deducted from the grant to the National Assembly for Wales in the Wales Office Annual Reports up to and including the 2007 report.

Peter Hain: Spending permission for the National Assembly for Wales to draw down its allocation from the EU Structural Funds in the 2000-06 round was included in its Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) on top of its Barnett determined budget.
	It is shown as a deduction in the table in order to reconcile the DEL with the amount of grant drawn down from HMT, described as Total Assembly Grant in the Annual Report.

EU Grants and Loans

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 70-1W, on EU grants and loans, how much of the above-Barnett formula additions were actually received by the Welsh Assembly in each year.

Peter Hain: The UK Government granted spending permission to the National Assembly for Wales on top of its Barnett determined budget to allow it to draw down its full allocation of EU Structural Funds in the 2000-06 round.
	The actual detail and timing of those draw downs were a matter for the National Assembly itself.

EU Grants and Loans

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much  (a) has been paid by and  (b) is planned to be paid in above-Barnett Formula additions to the block grant for Wales from the EU share funding for Objective One and Convergence Programmes for 2007-13.

Peter Hain: Funding rules have been changed to permit the Welsh Assembly Government to draw down its full allocation of EU Convergence funding in the 2007-13 round without need for a detrimental impact on its Barnett determined budget.

EU Grants and Loans

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Assembly Government's receipts from the EU in respect of Objective One and Convergence Programme funding in Wales are in addition to the overall block grant that they would otherwise have received

Peter Hain: Yes.

SCOTLAND

Postal Services

Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the future of mail and post office services in Scotland.

Ann McKechin: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues.
	The Government are committed to a stable and sustainable post office network. Since 1999, the Government have invested £3.7 billion in the Post Office including an annual subsidy of £150 million to 2011 to support 7,500 branches that may not survive without public support.

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Advocate-General on devolution issues.

Jim Murphy: I have regular discussions with the Advocate-General on a variety of matters.

Devolution

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the work of the Commission on Scottish Devolution on the relative powers of members of the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

Jim Murphy: The Commission on Scottish Devolution published their final report on 15 June. I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 15 June 2009,  Official Report, column 5WS.

House Repossessions

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on fiscal measures to assist mortgage holders in Scotland who are facing repossession.

Ann McKechin: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Chancellor, including at meetings of the National Economic Council, on action needed to deliver real help now to those suffering in the recent economic conditions.

North Sea Oil and Gas

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the North sea oil and gas industry on prospects for the industry in 2009-10.

Jim Murphy: I and my Department maintain regular contact with representatives of the North Sea oil and gas industry and discuss a wide range of issues affecting the sector.

Scottish Economy

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his most recent assessment is of the state of the Scottish economy.

Jim Murphy: The Scottish economy has not been immune from the global economic difficulties, and is now officially in recession. The UK Government have delivered a £500 million fiscal boost from Budget 2009 measures, a £2 billion boost as part of the 2008 pre-Budget report, all in addition to the substantial interventions to support the Scottish banks. These Government actions have helped to keep Scottish unemployment levels among the lowest in Europe.

Future Jobs Fund

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the future jobs fund in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The £1 billion Future Jobs Fund will provide 150,000 jobs across Great Britain, for 18 to 24 year-olds unemployed for 12 months and for unemployment hotspots.
	I will hold a Jobs Summit on 18 of June with Scottish local authorities, SCVO, social enterprises, and charities to build on existing plans to bid, and promote uptake of the Fund in Scotland.

Economy: Argyll and Bute

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the economic situation in Argyll and Bute.

Ann McKechin: The Argyll and Bute economy has not been immune from the global economic difficulties, which has seen the Scottish economy officially in recession. However, at 3.1 per cent. the claimant count rate for Argyll and Bute is below that of the Scottish average. UK Government have delivered a £500 million fiscal boost from Budget 2009 measures, a £2 billion boost as part of the 2008 pre-Budget report, all in addition to the substantial interventions to support the Scottish banks.

Fuel Duty

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on the effects of fuel duty rates on people in remote areas in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has received no such recent representations. Decisions on fuel duty rates are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who takes into account a range of factors in setting them.

Departmental Billing

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of invoices his Department has paid within 10 days of receipt in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: Until October 2008 the Scotland Office and the Office of the Advocate-General were required to monitor and publish payment performance against a 30 day payment target. The first full month of formal recording against the 10 day target was November 2008 and therefore information about payment performance within 10 days is not available prior to this date. Between 1 November 2008 and 31 March 2009 the offices have paid 97.2 per cent. of invoices within 10 days.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on  (a) staffing costs,  (b) IT equipment,  (c) telecommunications,  (d) stationery and office supplies,  (e) utilities and  (f) travel in each year since 1999.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The Scotland Office provides support services to the Office of the Advocate-General for Scotland (OAG) and prior to 2003-04, separate records were not maintained for the two offices. The spend was as follows:
	
		
			   Staffing costs  IT equipment  Telecommunications  Stationery and office supplies  Utilities( 1)  Travel 
			 1999-2000(2,3) 2,026,094 20,732 20,164 22,207 55,946 212,402 
			 2000-01(3) 3,391,412 62,033 103,492 25,270 104,687 360,085 
			 2001-02(3) 3,898,927 44,761 99,709 24,478 118,613 332,560 
			 2002-03(3) 4,368,496 94,330 90,379 25,294 123,244 322,377 
			 2003-04 2,615,587 6,385 93,769 16,858 123,487 196,256 
			 2004-05 2,201,361 — 80,484 11,314 133,103 163,541 
			 2005-06 1,904,782 5,843 86,560 16,415 138,399 168,156 
			 2006-07 1,935,725 — 76,286 17,955 156,596 182,609 
			 2007-08 2,287,135 — 82,793 18,943 119,365 184,240 
			 (1) The information relates to buildings where Scotland Office are major occupiers. Costs relating to buildings shared with the Scottish Executive are not separately identifiable. (2) Part year. (3) Scotland Office and OAG.

TRANSPORT

A13

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what plans London Gateway Port has to fund improvements to the A13/M25 junction.

Paul Clark: Improvements to Junction 30 of the M25 with the A13 are required as conditions of planning consent for London Gateway. Funding of the improvements is a matter for London Gateway Port Ltd in liaison with the Highways Agency.

Airports: East of England

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much funding his Department allocated for the construction of airports in the East of England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Government have not allocated any funding to the construction of airports over the period in question. Investment in new airport infrastructure and facilities is a commercial matter for airport operators. However, the East of England Development Agency has contributed funds towards studies informing decisions about potential investments surrounding Southend and Norwich airports.

Aviation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether his Department has issued guidance to airlines on use of pitot tubes on medium and long- haul jets.

Paul Clark: Civil aviation safety in the UK is regulated by independent aviation safety regulators: the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As such the Department for Transport does not itself issue guidance.
	EASA has been responsible for the regulation of aircraft design issues since 2003, as set out in Regulation (EC) 216/2008. On 9 June 2009, EASA issued a Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) that refers to the pitot system of the aircraft involved in the Air France accident on 1 June 2009. The bulletin reminds operators of the need to ensure that flight crew are fully familiar with procedures associated with unreliable airspeed indications. The UK CAA supports this SIB and will continue to work with EASA and UK airlines on this matter as further information from the investigation emerges.

Aviation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of computerised measurement of airspeeds on A330 aircraft;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of the air data inertial reference unit computer system used on A330 aircraft.

Paul Clark: Civil aviation safety in the UK is regulated by independent aviation safety regulators: the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As such the Department for Transport does not itself assess the reliability of aircraft products and parts.
	As part of the type certification process for the Airbus A330, the aircraft design and its systems were required to meet the established safety standards, which addressed the issue of reliability.
	The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) assumed responsibility for the regulation of aircraft design issues in 2003. Continued compliance with these standards is assured through continuing airworthiness monitoring by the manufacturer (Airbus), overseen by the regulator (EASA).
	The UK CAA will continue to work with EASA and UK airlines on any matters related to this accident, as further information from the investigation emerges.

Aviation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the safety of A330 aircraft;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to assess the safety of A330 aircraft.

Paul Clark: Civil aviation safety in the UK is regulated by independent aviation safety regulators: the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is responsible for the regulation of aircraft design, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As such the Department for Transport is not in itself making an assessment of the safety of the A330 aircraft.
	The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority. The last meeting was on 9 June 2009 and aviation safety was discussed.
	At present, the Civil Aviation Authority remains confident that the appropriate effort and resources are being deployed to ensure the continued safe operation of the Airbus A330 type. If this situation changed, as a result of evidence from the accident investigation, the CAA has the power to take the appropriate safety action in respect of UK-registered aircraft or aircraft operated by UK operators.

Aviation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the risks posed by the effect known as coffin corner in relation to aircraft.

Paul Clark: Civil aviation safety in the UK is regulated by independent aviation safety regulators: the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As such, the Department for Transport has not conducted any research into the 'coffin corner' effect.

Bus Services: Concessions

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on changes in levels of usage of bus services by those on low incomes arising from the (i) national and (ii) local concessionary bus fare schemes.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 16 June 2009
	The Department for Transport has commissioned research from the Institute of Transport Studies (ITS) to review the impact of the national and local concessionary travel schemes on overall usage of bus services. This work is expected to provide some specific information on use by those on low incomes, although this is not the primary focus.
	The National Travel Survey (NTS) provides data on bus use by income group, although data are not yet available for the past two years.
	The Department for Transport intends to use the ITS work, and NTS data later this year to evaluate whether the current arrangements for reimbursing bus operators are appropriate for the longer term.

Bus Services: Standards

John Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many assessments under the driving quality monitoring scheme were conducted in  (a) Liverpool,  (b) Leeds,  (c) Sheffield and  (d) Glasgow in 2008-09; and how many of the assessments in each area found the quality of driving to be unacceptable.

Paul Clark: The following table shows the number of Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM) assessments conducted by the Driving Standards Agency in Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Glasgow:
	
		
			  2008-09 
			   Total DQM assessments  Unacceptable serious faults  Unacceptable dangerous faults 
			 Liverpool 38 9 0 
			 Leeds 0 0 0 
			 Sheffield 40 26 0 
			 Glasgow 0 0 0 
		
	
	There are no DQM contracts for Leeds and Glasgow for the period. A contract covering Leeds was agreed in May 2009.

Crossrail Line: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport, what estimate he has made of the sum which the London supplementary business rate for Crossrail will raise in gross revenue in each year of its operation; and what percentage of the cost of the project this contribution represents.

Sadiq Khan: The funding package for Crossrail announced by the Prime Minister in October 2007 reflects a contribution of £4.1 billion in relation to the Business Rate Supplement, £3.5 billion of which will be borrowed by the Mayor of London against the revenues to be raised from a business rate supplement in the future and the remaining estimated £600 million being business rate supplement revenues to be contributed directly to the project during the period of construction.
	The Crossrail Sponsors Agreement (signed by Transport for London and the Department for Transport in December 2008) includes a forecast profile of the year on year amounts to be raised by the Mayor through the Crossrail business rate supplement to support his contribution to the project. However, the forecast profile was not published in the redacted form of the Sponsors Agreement laid in the Library of the House last December. This was due to the commercial sensitivities around the year on year funding detail of the project as a whole, with the majority of contracts still to be let and with agreements to be reached with lenders.
	It is for the Mayor to determine his approach to raising a business rate supplement for Crossrail, within the framework to be set out by legislation, and to determine the gross revenue to be raised in each year of its operation. Under schedule 1 of the Business Rate Supplements Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament, the Mayor will be required to set out a wide range of information in a prospectus to be used as the basis for consulting on the proposal to levy a business rate supplement. This information will include project costs and estimates of the amount of money the Mayor expects to raise from the business rate supplement year on year.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

John Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2009,  Official Report, column 295W, on departmental conditions of employment, what his most recent estimate is of the cost of modifying systems in his Department's shared service centre to accommodate the workings of the flexible benefits project.

Chris Mole: The cost of modifying systems in the Department for Transport's shared service centre to accommodate the workings of the flexible benefits project is £62,700. This includes architecture changes, programming and payroll reconfiguration.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

John Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 485W, on departmental conditions of employment, on what calculations the estimate that the level of take-up required to break even with the scheme is about 2 per cent. over three years was based.

Chris Mole: The cost of implementing and administering flexible benefits over three years is £173,000, including reconfiguration of the shared services centre system. To break even with the scheme will require a 2 per cent. take-up of the benefits we are considering, which equates to an estimated annual spend of £535,000, with aggregated employer national insurance contribution savings of £183,000 over three years. The costing model has been verified by Deloitte who are acting as our benefit consultants.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department has spent on hiring non-departmental premises for  (a) hospitality and entertainment and  (b) training events in the last 12 months.

Chris Mole: In the most recent completed financial year, 2008-09, the Department for Transport's agencies spent £12,700 on hiring non-departmental premises in respect of hospitality and entertainment and £369,468 in respect of training events.
	The accounting systems of the core Department do not record such costs separately from other related expenditure, so the information sought cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Press

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what  (a) newspapers and  (b) periodicals are delivered to the private office of each Minister in his Department; and at what cost in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Mole: The list of newspapers and periodicals that are delivered to the ministerial private offices of the Department for Transport are as follows:
	 Newspapers
	 Daily Express
	 Daily Mail
	 Daily Mirror
	 Daily Telegraph
	 Financial Times
	 The Guardian
	 Evening Standard 1( st) Edition
	 Evening Standard West End Final
	 Standard West End Final Extra
	 Local Government Chronicle
	 The  Times
	 The  Independent
	 The  Sun
	 Yorkshire Post
	 Lloyds List
	 Periodicals
	 The  Economist
	 New Statesman
	 Modern Railways
	 National Geographic
	 Prospect
	 Buses
	 Private Eye
	 The  Spectator
	 Commercial Motor
	 Railway Magazine
	The total cost for period from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 was £9,239.16.

Departmental Private Finance Initiative

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many private finance initiative projects have been agreed by his Department in each of the last five years.

Chris Mole: The following table summarises the local authority private finance initiative projects agreed by the Department for Transport in the last five years:
	
		
			  Calendar year  Number of local authority projects receiving conditional approval 
			 2009 (to date) 1 (Sheffield highway maintenance) 
			 2008 2 (Street lighting) 
			 2007 8 (Street lighting) 
			 2006 1 (Thames Gateway, cancelled by Mayor of London) 
			 2005 1 (Street lighting) 
			 2004 7 (Street lighting) 
		
	
	Prior to receiving a full outline business case and granting conditional approval, the Department may grant provisional approval for a local authority project. There are currently four local authority PFI projects with provisional approvals:
	Mersey Crossing;
	Nottingham Express Tram extension;
	Hounslow highway maintenance; and
	Isle of Wight highway maintenance.
	In addition,  Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notices were issued for the following non-local authority projects, initiating procurement:
	
		
			  Calendar year  Number of non-local authority projects issuing OJEU notices 
			 2009 (to date) 0 
			 2008 0 
			 2007 0 
			 2006 1 (Joint MCA/MOD search and rescue helicopters) 
			 2005 1 (Highways Agency M25 DBFO) 
			 2004 0

Departmental Private Finance Initiative

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many private finance initiative projects are being negotiated by each directorate in his Department.

Chris Mole: The search and rescue helicopters private finance initiative (PFI) is being negotiated by a joint Ministry of Defence and Maritime and Coastguard Agency project team.
	While the Department for Transport currently sponsors a number of local authority PFI projects, these are negotiated directly by the local authority project teams.

Departmental Private Finance Initiative

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what plans he has for the future use of the private finance initiative in the  (a) procurement,  (b) construction and  (c) operation of transport projects.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport updates details of the signed (i.e. in construction and operational phases) private finance initiatives (PFI) projects it sponsors on the HM Treasury website at six monthly intervals:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ppp-pfi_stats.htm
	The HM Treasury list was last updated in April 2009, since then the Highways Agency has also awarded the M25 widening DBFO.
	The Department is sponsoring a further 13 local authority projects that are in procurement and four in pre-procurement. In addition to this the Department's Maritime and Coastguard Agency is jointly procuring a search and rescue helicopter PFI with the Ministry of Defence.
	The Department has a further £1.69 billion in unallocated PFI credits that are available for use on local authority PFI projects.

Departmental Training

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what training courses have been attended by special advisers in his Department in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Chris Mole: Special advisers receive training as appropriate to enable them to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as set out in the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".
	In the last 12 months special advisers in the Department for Transport have attended mandatory Information and Communication Technology training courses at a total cost of £141.67 to the Department.

Driving Standards Agency: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much the Driving Standards Agency spent on consultants in each of the last five years.

Paul Clark: In each of the last five years the Driving Standards Agency spent the following amounts on consultants:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004-05 3,617,982 
			 2005-06 1,210,003 
			 2006-07 5,139,575 
			 2007-08 3,532,192 
			 2008-09 3,418,022

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Louise Ellman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the arrangements for the safety of candidates taking the Module One motorcycle test; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: In order to design a safe off-road manoeuvre test to comply with the European Directive, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) undertook trials and risk assessments involving rider training organisations. The Agency tested the proposals in public consultation and benchmarked ideas with comparable organisations in other member states.
	Prior to the introduction of the two-part motorcycle test, DSA carried out a risk assessment of both Modules of the new test.
	This included assessments and identification of appropriate controls of the testing area, including the boundaries and the surface of the off-road manoeuvring area. The level of preparedness of test candidates was also assessed.
	Copies of the risk assessment have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Driving: Working Hours

Alistair Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will seek an exemption for recreational horsebox drivers from EU regulations on drivers' hours; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The EU drivers' hours rules, which are directly applicable in all EU member states, apply to most drivers of goods vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes.
	There are a number of exemptions from the EU rules, one of which applies to vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used for the non-commercial carriage of goods—which would include some privately owned horseboxes.

Electric Vehicles

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the cost of establishing a recharging point for electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles.

Sadiq Khan: The cost of installing a recharging point for electric vehicles will depend on what type of technology is used, its location and what, if any, ancillary work—for example ground works, utility connection, signage—is needed. Procuring points in volume or where supporting infrastructure already exists is likely to be significantly cheaper.
	As a broad indication of the range of possible costs, free standing on street charging points may cost between £500 and £3,500, with accompanying street works where required costing up to £5,000. The total cost of installing a plug point on a wall where a power supply exists may be in the region of £250 to £1,000. More innovative fast charging or battery swap infrastructure would be more expensive to deliver.
	It should also be noted that many motorists are likely to choose to recharge their electric and plug in hybrid vehicles at home overnight, provided they have secure access to a standard 13 amp socket. This would not cost anything at all.

Electric Vehicles

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many recharging points for electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles he expects to be procured from the £20 million allocated for that purpose in the 2009 Budget.

Sadiq Khan: The Secretary of State for Transport announced in April that up to £20 million will be provided by the Department to support the development of infrastructure supporting electric vehicles in select lead cities and regions in the UK. An estimate has not been made at this time as to the total number of recharging points likely to be procured under the scheme. A range of charging technologies and infrastructure solutions exist, which vary in scale and cost. The total number of recharging points supported from the £20 million allocated will therefore depend on local plans and requirements.
	Applications for funding will be judged on a range of criteria, which will include the number of public charging points delivered. Further details on the scheme will be announced shortly.

Heathrow Airport

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport on the quality of life of people living in  (a) Tooting and  (b) the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Paul Clark: Our assessment of the likely effects of a third runway at Heathrow airport was presented in the "Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport" consultation document published on 22 November 2007.
	That showed that Tooting and the London borough of Wandsworth would not generally be overflown by any arriving or departing aircraft in the event of a third runway. This would be an improvement on the present position for these areas which experience some overflying by arriving aircraft at a height of 3,000 feet or less.

London and Continental Railways

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 24-26WS, on London and Continental Railways, what estimate he has made of the monetary value of  (a) St. Pancras International station and  (b) the high speed rail line from St. Pancras International station to the Channel Tunnel.

Chris Mole: The Government are currently engaged in a restructuring of London and Continental Railways. Following this, it is the Government's intention, as market conditions allow, to sell a long-term concession for High Speed 1 in such a way as to maximise value for money for the taxpayer.
	The estimate of the expected proceeds is commercially confidential and to publish the information might condition the competitive sale process and damage value.

London and Continental Railways

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 24-26WS, on London and Continental Railways, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of restructuring  (a) HS1 Ltd and  (b) the UK's interest in Eurostar.

Chris Mole: The restructuring of London and Continental Railways (LCR) announced on 8 June 2009 involved no further commitment of public funds over and above those committed during the restructurings of the company in 1998, 2001 and 2002.
	The current financial restructuring provides for the redistribution of support already committed to allow LCR's subsidiary businesses to be established on a stand-alone commercial basis. This will allow the value of those businesses to be realised in due course with a commensurate reduction in the overall level of state support.

M25

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the public sector comparator figure is for the M25 design, build, finance and operate widening project.

Chris Mole: The Public Sector Comparator is expressed in Net Present Value terms (NPV) in accordance with HMT guidance. The NPV for the M25 Design, Build, Finance and Operate Contract is £3.40 billion. The equivalent NPV figure for the Public Sector Comparator is £3.83 billion.

Motor Vehicles: Foreigners

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of foreign-registered  (a) heavy goods vehicles,  (b) vans,  (c) cars and  (d) motorcycles using UK roads in each of the last five years.

Paul Clark: Estimates of foreign registered traffic are not available for any years prior to 2007.
	In 2007 0.5 per cent. of British traffic, around one in every 215 kilometres, was estimated to be driven by foreign registered vehicles. These 2007 figures are not available broken down by vehicle type, and such estimates could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, estimates of the rate of foreign registered traffic for 2008, including analyses by vehicle type, are due to be published within the Department for Transport's Statistical Bulletin, 'Road Statistics 2008', on 25 June 2009.

Motor Vehicles: Registration

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many and what proportion of vehicles registered in each of the last 10 years were vehicles previously registered abroad.

Paul Clark: The following table provides the number of vehicles previously registered abroad for the last eight financial years. Also displayed are the total number of vehicles registered and the proportion of vehicles previously registered abroad against the total number of vehicles registered. Figures are not available for financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
	
		
			  Financial year  Total vehicles registered  Vehicles previously registered abroad  Percentage of vehicles previously registered abroad 
			 2008-09 2,448,918 75,101 3.1 
			 2007-08 3,013,123 95,038 3.2 
			 2006-07 2,957,135 93,233 3.2 
			 2005-06 3,017,849 109,785 3.6 
			 2004-05 3,159,400 124,124 3.9 
			 2003-04 3,247,359 135,926 4.2 
			 2002-03 3,230,476 113,414 3.5 
			 2001-02 3,198,759 105,466 3.3

Railways

Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his most recent assessment is of the capacity of the existing rail network for  (a) passenger and  (b) freight services.

Chris Mole: During the preparation of the 2007 Rail White Paper, the Government carried out assessments of the adequacy of the capacity of the rail network. The assessments drew on work carried out by the rail industry, and the outcome is published in the 2007 Rail White Paper 'Delivering a Sustainable Railway' available from the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/whitepapercm7176
	Since its publication, the Government have asked Network Rail to undertake a new lines study to identify longer term capacity requirements.
	Initial results from Network Rail's study indicated a long-term capacity gap from London to the West Midlands, which is why we have tasked High Speed Two to advise on the feasibility of a new high speed line from London to the West Midlands as a first stage, and beyond the West Midlands at the level of broad corridors.

Railways: Fares

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of an assumption of an increase in unregulated rail fares of RPI plus one per cent. in each franchise contract  (a) in January 2010 and  (b) at the renewal date of each franchise.

Chris Mole: holding answer 16 June 2009
	The levels of unregulated fares are a commercial matter for individual train operators. For business planning purposes' operators may make assumptions of any projected changes to unregulated fares, but this is a matter for the operator concerned.

Railways: Finance

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what account his Department takes of the effect of expenditure on railways on levels of tax receipts from other modes of transport when considering future rail spending plans.

Chris Mole: The account taken of changes in tax receipts from other modes in the economic appraisal of rail schemes, and hence in considering spending plans, is set out in the paper "NATA Refresh—Appraisal for a Sustainable Transport System" published on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2008/consulnatarefresh/natarefresh2009.pdf

Railways: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what funding his Department is providing for community rail partnerships in 2009-10.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not provide core funding for Community Rail Partnerships, which are essentially local organisations and therefore locally funded.
	However, through the franchising process and grants to Network Rail, the Department provides funding for the services promoted by partnerships. It also provides core funding for the national umbrella body representing and supporting partnerships, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Working with Network Rail, the Department makes available small grants to contribute towards specific projects such as promotions and small scale station improvements. It will also be making grants to assist with training and development of employees for Community Rail Partnerships on officially designated routes.

Railways: Franchises

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of his Department's  (a) actual and  (b) potential liabilities under revenue support clauses in contracts with train operators in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; what assessment he has made of the effects of passenger number projections on those liabilities in each case; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what funding has been allocated to his Department to meet liabilities or potential liabilities under revenue support clauses in train operator franchises in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10;
	(3)  how much has been allocated from the rail budget for Control Period Four to cover revenue support clauses in train operator franchises.

Chris Mole: The amount of any revenue support payable to eligible franchise holders is dependant on the performance of individual franchises and is set out in the relevant franchise contracts with the Department for Transport.
	The Department's internal forecasts for and amounts payable or receivable under these revenue sharing arrangements are commercially confidential.

Railways: Franchises

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding to meet liabilities or potential liabilities under revenue support clauses in train operator franchises.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has regular discussions with Treasury Ministers and officials on a range of issues concerning railway finances. Revenue support and sharing arrangements is one of these issues.

Railways: Franchises

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what proportion of the rail budget has been allocated to settle franchise disputes in Control Period Four.

Chris Mole: The Government expect all operators to adhere to the terms of the contracts that they have entered into with the Department for Transport. As such, no specific funds have been allocated for the settlement of any disputes.

Railways: Franchises

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many disputes were dealt with by the Rail Industry Dispute Resolution Committee in 2008-09; and at what cost to the public purse.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not hold information on the number of cases handled by the Rail Industry Dispute Resolution Committee. The hon. Member should write to the Committee itself at the following address:
	John Gott
	Railway Industry Dispute Resolution Committee
	Central House
	14 Upper Woburn Place
	London
	WC1H 0HY

Railways: South East

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much was spent by his Department on the re-letting of the South Central franchise.

Chris Mole: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 16 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 177-78W.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much funding has been allocated to his Department's infrastructure grant programme for low carbon transport.

Sadiq Khan: The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme (AFIGP) was launched in 2005 with a budget of £500,000 grant funding per year.
	In addition, the then Secretary of State for Transport announced in April that up to £20 million will be provided by the Department to support the development of infrastructure supporting electric vehicles in a few lead cities and regions in the UK.
	More broadly the Department supports low carbon transport through a wide range of funding streams and other policies.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effects of his Department's infrastructure grant programme on progress towards meeting targets on renewable sources for transport fuel use.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Transport's principal policy for delivering progress towards meeting targets on renewable sources for transport fuel use is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme is designed to trial and demonstrate infrastructure to support a range of alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Roads: Accidents

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 773-74W, on roads: accidents, what the combined duration of road closures in each police force area in the south west was  (a) from July to December 2005,  (b) in 2006,  (c) in 2007,  (d) in 2008 and  (e) in 2009 to date.

Chris Mole: The table provides the combined duration of road closures, due to road traffic accidents by police force area in the south west for each area of the periods requested.
	The information available is for road traffic accidents where the police have requested Highways Agency involvement. No data are held for those occurrences where the police have dealt with an accident alone.
	
		
			  Motorways by police force area from July 2005 onwards 
			   Duration of road closures in hours/minutes on motorways per year 
			  Police force area  July 2005 onwards  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 Avon and Somerset 34:45 37:04 82:30 54:30 11:30 
			 Wiltshire n/a 11:50 21:05 38:15 4:25 
			 Gloucester 15:05 13:55 60:35 32:30 1:50 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0:30 2:30 11:10 6:25 0:55

Roads: Accidents

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 773-74W, on roads: accidents, what the combined duration of road closures on each trunk road referred to was  (a) in the period July to December 2005,  (b) in 2006,  (c) in 2007,  (d) in 2008 and  (e) in the period January to June 2009.

Chris Mole: The table provides the combined duration of road closures due to road traffic accidents for each trunk road in each of the periods requested.
	The information available is for road traffic accidents where the police have requested Highways Agency involvement. No data are held for those occurrences where the police have dealt with an accident alone. Also, the data available for all purpose trunk roads west of Exeter are from autumn 2006 onwards, and from July 2005 for other Highways Agency roads in the south west network.
	
		
			  All purpose trunk roads 
			   Duration of road closures in hours/minutes on all purpose trunk roads per year 
			  Trunk road number  July to December 2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 A30/A35 DBFO 0 28:40 43:25 50:40 22:30 
			 A30 Non DBFO n/k 14:50 83:30 136:10 44:50 
			 A38 n/k 3:25 63:30 138:20 61:15 
			 A417/A419 DBFO 5:30 11:30 21:00 19:00 5:30 
			 A36 9:15 26:20 60:00 8:50 20:15 
			 A303 12:40 89:10 109:20 61:10 7:45 
			 A30 East of Honiton 1:10 0 0 4:55 0 
			 A4 14:10 0 2:25 0 0 
			 A40 15:10 13:50 6:50 9:20 5:25 
			 A46 11:30 14:50 23:00 12:00 5:00 
			 n/k = Not known

Shipping

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1729W, on shipping, when he expects to decide whether to conduct a second consultation exercise on the draft regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: During the summer, consideration will be given by the Department for Transport, as to whether a second consultation will be required on draft regulations to control ship to ship transfers of oil in UK territorial waters taking account of comments made by consultees.

Shipping: Accidents

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will commission the Health and Safety Executive to undertake research into the circumstances surrounding the capsize of  (a) offshore oil-rig support tugs and  (b) other vessels in UK and international waters in the last five years for the purposes of improving safety measures in relation to escape routes from such vessels.

Paul Clark: The safety of vessels, including offshore oil-rig support tugs, is a matter for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) rather than the Health and Safety Executive.
	A comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the capsize of an offshore oil-rig support tug has been completed recently by the Norwegian maritime administration. The conclusions of this review are to be incorporated as appropriate into the "North West European Area Guidelines for the Safe Management of Offshore Supply and Anchor Handling Operations" (NWEA Guidelines) and into international safety regulations under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation.
	The MCA fully endorses the outcome of the Norwegian review, welcomes the improvements to the NWEA Guidelines and believes that further research would not enhance what has already been done recently in this area. In particular, it is considered that current requirements for escape routes from ships are adequate for the risks faced, and that special escape routes from capsized vessels would be impractical and might even increase risk to lives and vessels.

Shipping: Carbon Emissions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether he plans to set targets for carbon dioxide emissions reductions from the shipping industry.

Paul Clark: Shipping is an international industry and regulation of carbon dioxide from shipping will be most effectively achieved through international action. To this end the Government are seeking to ensure that the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen on 7-18 December 2009 will set an emissions reduction target for the shipping sector.

Shipping: Carbon Emissions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the methodology for calculating carbon dioxide emissions from shipping.

Paul Clark: The Department of Transport's assessment on this subject was contained in the Department's memorandum of evidence submitted to the Environmental Audit Committee last year. The memorandum is reproduced in the published Environmental Audit Committee report on 'Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping' (HC 528, Session 2008-09), on pages Ev 66-70.

Shipping: Pollution

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps his Department is taking in international fora to reduce pollution emissions from shipping.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport is involved in a wide range of work within the relevant international and European forums to address pollutant emissions from shipping.
	In particular the Department works within the International Maritime Organisation to address a range of pollution issues. Currently this work includes measures to address air quality, garbage and ballast water from shipping, with the Department playing a leading role in recently adopted measures to reduce SOx and NOx emissions from ships.

Southern: Standards

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether the new South Central operator proposed targets for passenger satisfaction as part of its bid.

Chris Mole: The South Central franchise specification required the operator to set targets based on National Passenger Survey results for trains, stations and customer service, split by groups of services—South London, Sussex and Coast and Gatwick Express. If these targets are not achieved the bidder is required to spend up to £0.5 million per annum to implement a plan to rectify any deficiencies.

Southern: Standards

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what  (a) enhancements and  (b) investments stipulated in the South Central franchise will be funded by (i) the Government and (ii) Southern Trains; and how much each will cost.

Chris Mole: The franchising process does not allow for the identification of individual sources of investment. Instead, it provides an overall price to Government of the package that is proposed by the bidder (either subsidy or in the case of South Central a £534 million premium). It is thus not possible to identify the individual investment costs being borne by the South Central operator or the Government.

Southern: Standards

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department plans to spend on staffing of new gating systems for the new South Central franchise; and how much Transport for London has agreed to spend to ensure stations on the new South Central franchise are staffed from first to last service on each operational day.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport is not funding the staffing of new gating systems on an individual basis. These plans form part of an overall franchise bid and it is not possible to disaggregate staffing costs to this level.
	Transport for London will be contributing around £4 million to the franchise.

Southern: Tickets

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation smartcards are planned to be in place across the whole South Central franchise area by 2012.

Chris Mole: The franchisee is required to install an Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation (ITSO) based smartcard system by January 2012.

Southern: Tickets

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the terms are for the delay repay scheme stipulated in the South Central franchise.

Chris Mole: The terms of the delay/repay scheme to be introduced on the new South Central franchise are the same as that introduced on other recent franchise competitions.
	The terms apply to all ticket types, with an entitlement to 50 per cent. compensation for a delay of between 30 and 59 minutes; 100 per cent. for a delay of 60-119 minutes and 100 per cent. of the return fare for any delay of 120 minutes or more. For season tickets, compensation is calculated using the proportional daily cost of the ticket.

Southern: Tickets

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport for what period the winning bid for the South Central franchise assumes an RPI plus one per cent. increase for unregulated fares.

Chris Mole: The level of unregulated fares are a matter for individual operators. This remains the position within the South Central franchise. The winning bid has assumed that unregulated fares will increase by RPI +1 per cent. on average across the duration of the franchise.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many fixed penalty notices have been issued by each Safety Camera Partnership and successor organisation since 2001.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport holds only information about speed and red light cameras operating under the National Safety Camera Programme which started in 2001 and ended on 31 March 2007. The numbers of fixed penalty notices issued by each safety camera partnership were not collected. However, details of fixed penalty notices issued and subsequently paid, broken down by partnership area, are outlined in the following table:
	
		
			  Speed and red light fixed penalty notices paid, by partnership and financial year 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon and Somerset — — 68,067 99,151 82,054 73,914 59,555 
			 Bedfordshire — — 50,792 60,920 58,439 50,558 50,362 
			 Cambridgeshire — 2,257 12,856 20,763 19,941 20,998 20,474 
			 Cheshire — — — 30,064 37,690 33,256 32,469 
			 Cleveland 14,983 14,418 24,395 21,144 21,907 21,056 18,101 
			 Cumbria — — — 26,979 29,792 26,836 30,984 
			 Derbyshire — 10,900 32,192 47,040 40,485 30,072 29,041 
			 Devon and Cornwall — — 19,749 48,974 53,204 47,508 43,144 
			 Dorset — — 23,733 65,984 49,791 50,098 46,822 
			 Essex 30,775 58,735 94,537 85,629 78,505 78,881 65,284 
			 Gloucestershire — — — — — 13,702 12,081 
			 Greater Manchester — — — 48,118 41,221 59,085 67,578 
			 Hampshire — — 29,096 41,587 52,128 48,476 45,171 
			 Hertfordshire — — 5,464 31,695 58,556 46,887 42,759 
			 Humberside — — 0 44,681 42,469 45,289 36,164 
			 Kent — — 30,994 54,929 60,959 50,285 61,206 
			 Lancashire — 19,953 98,495 84,560 58,869 62,887 57,551 
			 Leicestershire — — 33,644 38,538 29,368 37,010 30,066 
			 Lincolnshire 10,450 10,477 26,222 23,717 25,977 29,252 21,924 
			 London — — 85,351 108,291 148,379 157,597 126,130 
			 Merseyside — — — — — 18,332 24,848 
			 Mid and South Wales 26,117 31,271 121,076 121,353 109,224 101,014 98,031 
			 Norfolk — 2,669 20,101 27,157 23,958 22,100 24,914 
			 North Wales — 10,813 43,484 56,247 50,495 66,038 55,399 
			 Northamptonshire 36,131 45,559 59,845 55,819 47,976 51,265 42,186 
			 Northumbria — — — 53,426 71,647 63,387 48,407 
			 Nottinghamshire 9,273 14,472 46,711 55,530 59,392 52,940 53,129 
			 South Yorkshire — — 15,814 52,816 51,048 60,376 41,982 
			 Staffordshire — 10,520 36,299 40,604 45,054 46,632 43,109 
			 Suffolk — — — 24,144 39,406 33,087 31,623 
			 Surrey — — — — — 23,940 39,224 
			 Sussex — — 26,582 62,880 46,752 56,912 50,032 
			 Thames Valley 37,319 77,881 114,933 111,646 92,690 90,833 75,248 
			 Warwickshire — 3,405 39,810 50,862 43,454 39,088 33,536 
			 West Mercia — — — 51,436 51,599 47,554 44,191 
			 West Midlands — — 11,742 46,000 54,904 48,073 45,820 
			 West Yorkshire — — 37,594 60,432 67,076 56,838 42,955 
			 Wiltshire — — 21,693 39,680 51,085 48,368 50,230

Speed Limits: Cameras

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, column 19W, on speed limits: cameras, whether he has established a regular programme of evaluation of speed cameras.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport seeks to identify and disseminate examples of good practice across the road safety field generally. In addition, the Department's guidance on the use of safety cameras recommends that speed and collision data are collected by the partnerships and the contribution cameras make to casualty reduction monitored and reviewed, at least annually.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what guidance his Department issues to safety camera partnerships on their  (a) expenditure on and  (b) use of communications services.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport issued DFT Circular 01/2007, 'Guidance on the Deployment of Speed and Red Light Cameras' on 31 January 2007. The guidance was placed in the Libraries of the House and is also available on the Department's website. This recommends that partnerships proactively provide information about safety cameras, including their deployment and benefits, but do so as part of a wider approach to road safety related communications that aim to raise public awareness of behaviours that can cause casualties on the roads. Communications expenditure is entirely a matter for individual local partnerships using funds from their allocation of the Department's specific road safety grant.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards meeting the conditions for closure of the Office of the High Representative; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The last meeting of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board on 25-26 March 2009 assessed that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) had not yet achieved the five objectives and two conditions required for a closure of the Office of the High Representative and urged BiH political leaders to intensify efforts to meet the conditionality. The next formal PIC assessment will take place at its 29-30 June 2009 Steering Board meeting, which is likely to determine that there has been some progress but that further progress is needed, in particular on the allocation of state property, and linked decisions on defence property.

Departmental Recruitment

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many graduates have been recruited into the European Fast Stream in each year since the establishment of the programme.

Tom Watson: I have been asked to reply.
	The numbers of graduates recruited into the European Fast Stream in each year since the establishment of the programme are contained in the annual reports of the Civil Service Commissioners between 1991 and 1995, and thereafter in the Fast Stream Annual Reports published by the Cabinet Office.
	Copies of these documents are available in the Libraries of the House.

Devolution

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the addition of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to the UN's list of territories in the process of decolonisation.

Chris Bryant: The arrangements of Chapter XI of the UN Charter (Declaration regarding Non-Self Governing Territories) relate to former colonies for the purposes of domestic and international law. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are part of the UK. As far as the overseas territories are concerned we remain committed to modernising our relationship with them, while fully taking into account the views of the peoples of the Territories. We believe the decision as to whether a non-self-governing territory has reached a level of self-government sufficient to relieve the administering power of the obligation to submit information under Article 73e of the Charter is ultimately for the government of the territory and the administering power concerned and not the UN General Assembly.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter of 14 February 2009 from Mr. Colin Adams of Newport Pagnell, a constituent of the hon. Member for North East Milton Keynes.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The British embassy in Moscow replied directly to Mr. Adams' letter to the Foreign Secretary, which was dated 16 February 2009, on 5 March 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter of 5 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms J. Wilkinson.

David Miliband: I replied to my right hon. Friend's letter on 10 June 2009.

Nigeria: Armed Forces

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the government of Nigeria on its military action in the Niger Delta.

Chris Bryant: The Government have been following events closely since the Nigerian Joint Task Force (JTF) offensive commenced in the Niger Delta in mid-May. Our high commission in Abuja was quick to raise our concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
	We have received assurances from both the Nigerian Foreign Minister and the Nigerian Military High Command that their aim is to avoid civilian casualties and that any humanitarian needs would be addressed. We are continuing to monitor reports from the Delta from non-governmental organisations and others.
	We also pressed for the EU Troika to raise the situation with the Nigerian Government in a Ministerial Troika meeting on 9 June 2009.

Serbia: EU Enlargement

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the  (a) Serbia-EU interim agreement and  (b) Serbia-EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government welcomed the signature last year of Serbia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. The Government's position remains that ratification of the SAA must be conditional on Serbia's full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). But the Government would be content, on the basis of Serbia's significantly improved co-operation with ICTY, for the EU to begin to implement Serbia's Interim Agreement with the EU.

Serbia: EU Enlargement

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on  (a) the implementation of the Serbia-EU interim agreement and  (b) ratification of the Serbia-EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The implementation of Serbia's Interim Agreement with the EU and ratification of its Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU were discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23 February 2009, the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) on 28 March 2009 and the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 June 2009. On 15 June I had made clear to EU partners that, on the basis of Serbia's significantly improved co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the EU should be prepared to implement Serbia's Interim Agreement with the EU. But to date there has been no consensus among EU member states on this. Ratification of Serbia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement remains dependent on an assessment that Serbia is fully co-operating with the ICTY.

Serbia: War Crimes

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Serbia's levels of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in light of Chief Hague Prosecutor Serge Brammertz's report of 21 May 2009; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government share the assessment of Chief Prosecutor Senga Poranitz, as set out to the UN Security Council on 4 June 2009, and EU Foreign Ministers on 15 June 2009, that Serbia's level of co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has significantly improved in the last 12 months.

Sri Lanka: International Monetary Fund

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the International Monetary Fund to suspend its support to the Government of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK has not yet been asked to vote on a programme for Sri Lanka, as a programme has not been brought to the board for decision. At the time a programme is presented it will be assessed on its merits and the situation on the ground in Sri Lanka at the time to decide whether it will help the people of Sri Lanka. The Chancellor in his role as Governor to the IMF will make any final decision on UK support.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Experiments

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the chemicals industry on minimising levels of animal testing in the development of new chemical products.

Dan Norris: My predecessor my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) had regular meetings with representatives of the chemicals industry and other interested stakeholders to discuss a wide range of subjects, including animal testing.
	Regulation of chemicals in the EU is now co-ordinated through REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). REACH has a clear aim to minimise the use of animal testing and includes the means to achieve that. It makes animal testing the option of last resort where there are no suitable non-animal alternative tests available, requires the mandatory sharing of all existing data on the intrinsic properties of chemicals derived from animal tests when completing registrations, and bans repetition of animal tests. In addition, industry has to provide a full justification if further animal tests are proposed to fill identified data gaps, and gain the approval of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) before such tests may be conducted. Test proposals are required to be published on ECHA's website for 45 days, to allow interested third parties to submit scientifically-valid comments.

Central Science Laboratory: Manpower

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) directors,  (b) senior managers,  (c) specialist and delivery managers and  (d) executive support and administration staff there were in each Central Science Laboratory office in each of the last five years.

Dan Norris: Central Science Laboratory (CSL) had only one main site, at Sand Hutton near York, during the period covered by the question. In addition, a number of staff were home-based or based at small outstations. Consequently, the following figures relate to all CSL staff.
	
		
			  Central Science Laboratory staff headcount by classification, 2005-09 
			  Classification  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005 
			 Director (1)9 6 6 6 6 
			 Senior manager 75 77 72 72 71 
			 Specialist/delivery manager 247 241 242 237 227 
			 Executive support/admin 73 76 79 82 74 
			 Other(2) 302 280 302 358 299 
			 Total 706 680 701 (3)755 677 
			 (1) Figures for directors in 2009 include three retiring as CSL directors on 31 March 2009 and the six new Fera directors. (2) 'Other' category includes all staff not specifically covered by question who are involved in scientific support/delivery, e.g. fieldworkers, lab support, junior scientists. (3) Large temporary increase in staff numbers due mainly to employment of approx 40 staff in support of badger research.  Note: The figures in the table are as at 31 March each year.

Dairy Farmers of Britain

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain on  (a) North Yorkshire and  (b) English dairy farmers;
	(2)  whether he plans to bring forward measures to assist former suppliers of Dairy Farmers of Britain bring their milk to market.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Ministers and officials have been in discussion with senior dairy industry leaders. Officials remain in close contact with the receivers (PWC) to ensure minimal disruption throughout the dairy supply chain, including the effect on the sector as a whole.

Dairy Farming

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of dairy farming in the UK; and what steps he is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We are helping the dairy industry to help itself through the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, which provides a framework for constructive debate and information for industry to make informed decisions about their future. The Forum also aims to increase sector efficiency and promote the sustainable development.
	We are also helping the industry to adjust as part of the on-going CAP Reform. One of the aims of the 2003 Reform was to see the end of price support mechanisms, which distort the market and give false signals to producers. We continue to press for further reform of the remaining aspects of the dairy price support mechanisms to make the sector internationally competitive.

Departmental Furniture

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much each of his Department's agencies spent on furniture in each of the last five years.

Dan Norris: From information held centrally, the core-Department's financial system records the following expenditure on furniture and all related services (fitting, movement, etc.) by three of DEFRA's Executive agencies for the financial years 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Agency  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Animal health 622 283 757,768.56 
			 Marine and fisheries 400 35 8,893 
			 Government decontamination service 0 65 4,427 
		
	
	Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of  (a) Marten Walsh Cherer Ltd,  (b) Nicholls Investigation Services,  (c) Shell UK Ltd,  (d) the Royal Yachting Association,  (e) The Focus Group Ltd,  (f) the Trades Union Congress,  (g) Way Out Creations Sdn Bhd,  (h) Charles Matts,  (i) Nia Wyn Jones,  (j) Inova Furniture Contracts,  (k) Gavin Scott,  (l) Advance Seating Designs and  (m) Dunster House in 2007-08; and what the purpose of the expenditure was in each case.

Dan Norris: The core Department's financial system records the following expenditure for the entities listed:
	
		
			  Organisation  Purpose  Value (£) 
			 Martin Walsh Cherer Translation services 4,630.93 
			  Conferences and events Services 1,125.12 
			  Professional services: Consultancy 2,802.49 
			 Nicholls Investigation Services n/a Nil 
			 Shell UK Ltd Vehicle Fuel and Oils; Vehicle Maintenance 12,334.93 
			 The Royal Yachting Association Environmental Action Fund 145,598.00 
			 The Focus Group Ltd Conferences and Events Services 1,051.63 
			 The Trades Union Congress Conferences and Events Services 19,247.87 
			 Way Out Creations Sdn Bhd Sustainable Development Programme 4,499.00 
			 Charles Matts Professional Services: Consultancy 1,458.90 
			 Nia Wyn Jones Professional Services: Consultancy 1,244.38 
			 Inova Furniture Contracts Furniture 28,489.06 
			 Gavin Scott Conferences and Events Services 1,500.00 
			 Advance Seating Design Furniture and Office Services 1,187.32 
			 Dunster House Waste Research 280.50

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 22 April 2009,  Official Report, column 701W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, for what reasons the Waste and Resources Action Programme has ceased subsidising compost bins.

Dan Norris: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) stopped subsidising compost bins in England in April 2009 and will cease selling compost bins completely there at the end of September 2009. Notice has been given to all stakeholders of this change.
	Since its inception in 2004, the programme has sold and distributed 1.8 million compost bins in England which are estimated to divert 250,000 tonnes of organic waste each year. The programme has therefore met its original objectives and demonstrated the value of home composting as part of a local waste strategy. It was appropriate at this stage for the issue of future subsidies to become one for local authorities rather than central Government to decide.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number and proportion of buildings in high flood-risk areas which are not flood-resistant or resilient.

Huw Irranca-Davies: No estimate has been made of the number of properties in high flood-risk areas that are not flood resistant or resilient. Investment by the Government over the last decade has led to a reduced risk of flooding for over 250,000 households in England.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the national flood emergency framework to be published.

Huw Irranca-Davies: A fully developed National Flood Emergency Framework will be in place by June 2010, in line with the commitment given in response to Sir Michael Pitt's review on the 2007 floods. The framework will provide the basis for exercise watermark—our planned national exercise in March 2011.

Plants

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of ornamental plants in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Dan Norris: The Government have done no specific work to assess the role of ornamental plants in mitigating the effects of climate change. However, the growth of plants captures carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration), so giving some mitigation for other emissions. Assessments of carbon capture have been made for forestry and non-ornamental crops in the UK, since they represent the majority of the land use. The data available would allow a crude assessment of the potential for carbon sequestration by ornamentals.
	More generally, ornamentals are a significant component of green infrastructure, which can reduce air temperatures in built up areas by up to 2° C. Some studies suggest that surface temperatures can be reduced to a much greater extent. Incorporating deciduous trees, including ornamental trees, into building design can also help to reduce solar gain in summer reducing energy usage associated with air conditioning, while maintaining solar gain in winter. Apart from the role of green infrastructure in reducing the urban heat island effect, the shade provided by ornamental trees will also play a role in reducing the incidence of skin cancers that is otherwise likely to increase as a result of projected reductions in cloud cover. Green infrastructure also has a role to play in sustainable urban drainage systems, helping to alleviate the projected increase in flood risk.

Rural Areas: Broadband

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the provision of high-speed broadband access in rural areas.

Dan Norris: Broadband availability is vitally important for rural areas. DEFRA Ministers have been in contact with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to ensure that rural areas are taken into account in the development of the Digital Britain initiative which includes proposals for high speed next generation networks. DEFRA officials will continue to work closely with BIS on this matter.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the preparation of detailed implementing rules for an EU scheme for free fruit provision in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: EC Commission Regulation No. 288/2009, published on 7 April 2009, lays down implementing rules for the EU scheme for free fruit provision in schools.

Total Horsemanship

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what purpose expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of Total Horsemanship Ltd in 2007-08.

Dan Norris: The core Department's financial system records expenditure of £240 on a two-day horsemanship clinic under the expenditure category of 'Learning and Development: Health and Safety Training' in 2007-08.

Waste Management

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to Baroness Warsi of 11 May 2009,  Official Report, House of Lords, column WA177, on waste management, for what reasons a clarification of published policy was undertaken; and what account he took of rulings of the Local Government Ombudsman in his decision to amend section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Dan Norris: The reason for amending section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 was to provide a single point of reference in legislation for local authorities. As part of any decision-making process, the Secretary of State always takes account of relevant rulings of the Ombudsman.

Water Companies: Renewable Energy

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment Ofwat has made of the level of investment in renewable energy infrastructure by water companies.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In water companies' draft business plan submissions to Ofwat there were significant investments related to renewable energy. Ofwat assessed the draft business plans and allowed a significant amount of renewable energy-related investment. This would lead to a 40 per cent. increase in the amount of renewable energy generated by the companies. Most of this increase comes from additional production of biogas from sludge treatment and a growth in combined heat and power (CHP) capacity.
	Ofwat are currently reviewing the final business plan submissions from water companies. The outcome of their review will be made available on 23 July.

Whales: Conservation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government is taking to secure a comprehensive ban on whaling by the Japanese Government; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The UK Government will continue to make their opposition to whaling known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity and argue that they undermine the credibility of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) as an effective organisation for the conservation of whale stocks world-wide.
	Unfortunately the right of any Contracting Government to the IWC to issue 'Special permits' and to conduct lethal research into whaling is enshrined in Article VIII of the International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW).
	At the next annual meeting of the IWC in June, 2009 (IWC61) the UK will once again call on Japan to cease its lethal whaling operations and engage in the non-lethal research of whales.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to answer Question 270193, tabled on 17 April 2009, on domestic waste recycling.

Dan Norris: The answer to Question 270193 appeared on 15 June 2009,  Official Report, column 89W. I apologise for the delay in replying.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Press

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what  (a) newspapers and  (b) periodicals are delivered to the Prime Minister's private office; and at what cost in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office and therefore the answer provided is for the whole of the Cabinet Office including the Prime Minister and his office.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 9 October 2007,  Official Report, column 530W.

Departmental Travel

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much her Department spent on tickets for  (a) air and  (b) rail travel for (i) Ministers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) civil servants in her Department which were not used in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and may not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

OLYMPICS

Olympic Games 2012: Facilities

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what her most recent estimate is of the cost of having the Olympic grandstand in Hyde Park.

Tessa Jowell: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has responsibility for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games at existing venues. The direct costs associated with staging the events at existing venues come from LOCOG's revenues which are primarily derived from commercial sponsorship, broadcast rights, ticket sales and merchandising/licensing—not from the public purse.
	There will be attributable costs to the public purse, for example in respect of the security and transport functions associated with the venue. However these costs have not yet been identified separately for individual venues, but they will form part of the overall security and transport budgets.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Members Staff: Contracts

Tony Lloyd: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many hon. Members have not lodged the contracts of all their staff with the Department of Resources.

Nick Harvey: At the present time 256 individual contracts have yet to be lodged with the Department of Resources for staff working for 164 hon. Members.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a summary of representations received by his Department from the public on measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in the last five years.

Alan Campbell: Between 1 May 2004 and 30 April 2009, we received over 3,000 letters and e-mails regarding antisocial behaviour. Representations that the Department has received on antisocial behaviour cover a wide range of nuisances and to provide a summary of these would entail disproportionate costs.

Antisocial Behaviour: East of England

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will estimate the cost to the  (a) economy and  (b) public purse of anti-social behaviour in each local authority area in the East of England region in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much has been spent by each local authority in the East of England region per head of population on tackling anti-social behaviour in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: In 2003, the Home Office undertook a one-day count of antisocial behaviour incidents to quantify their impact on key service providers. This estimated that the cost to Government agencies of responding to reports of antisocial behaviour in England and Wales was approximately £3.4 billion per year. This figure did not include indirect costs to local communities and businesses, nor the emotional costs to victims and witnesses. The cost of not taking action against antisocial behaviour would be much higher.
	Information on the amount spent by local authorities, including those in the eastern region, on tackling antisocial behaviour is not collected centrally. Home Office funding for local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour now forms part of the general Area Based Grant (ABG) paid by the Department of Communities and Local Government. This grant is designed to increase the funding flexibility and allow local areas much greater freedom to spend money in a way they see fit to support the delivery of local, regional and national priorities in their areas.
	Other Home Office led activities also act to tackle antisocial behaviour, for example the introduction of community support officers in the eastern region, but a monetary value cannot be assigned to that contribution. Similarly, other programmes and services contribute, sometimes indirectly, to tackling antisocial behaviour, including diversionary activities for young people, neighbourhood wardens, as well as neighbourhood policing and neighbourhood management.

Antisocial Behaviour: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many  (a) anti social behaviour orders and  (b) acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued in (i) Tameside and (ii) Stockport in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what steps are being taken to reduce levels of anti social behaviour in  (a) Tameside and  (b) Stockport.

Alan Campbell: The latest available data on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) cover the period 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2006. Between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2006, 225 ASBOs were issued at all courts in the Greater Manchester Criminal Justice System (CJS) area. Data on the number of ASBOs issued are not available below CJS area level.
	The number of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) is collected by the Home Office through a voluntary survey of crime and disorder reduction partnerships' (CDRPs) use of antisocial behaviour tools and powers. The latest data published indicate that over 30,000 ABCs have been made between October 2003 and September 2007, with over 5,150 issued in the north-west region during the same period. Currently, data on the number of ABCs issued are not available below regional level.
	We have provided practitioners with a toolkit to tackle antisocial behaviour, which they operate according to local priorities and a practitioner website and advice line. Specifically in Tameside and Stockport, multidisciplinary antisocial behaviour teams operate many initiatives based on prevention and enforcement that engage, educate and promote awareness among young people, engage with residents and tackle antisocial behaviour in families. Stockport operates an antisocial behaviour hotline where members of the public can call and report antisocial behaviour. These cases are then allocated to one of the four ASB caseworkers to investigate and respond. Tameside were rated as an excellent four star authority by the Audit Commission's corporate assessment of the partnership's work around tackling antisocial behaviour.

Closed Circuit Television: Greater Manchester

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which towns in Greater Manchester operate closed circuit television for the purposes of crime prevention.

Alan Campbell: This information is not held centrally.

Departmental Data Protection

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of security have been reported at the  (a) Criminal Records Bureau,  (b) Identity and Passport Service and  (c) UK Border Agency and its predecessors in the last five years; and what procedures each agency follows when a breach of security involves the disclosure of personal data.

Phil Woolas: Except in exceptional cases, where it is in the public interest, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on breaches of security. The Home Office and agencies take all breaches of security including unauthorised disclosure of personal data, very seriously. The Home Office and agencies have measures/policies in place to prevent misuse or abuse of official systems and to detect it where it does occur. Unauthorised disclosures of personal data are both a breach of security and a breach of the civil service code.
	The Home Office and agencies are committed to investigating any such breaches and will deal with them in the strongest manner. Depending on the circumstances a range of sanctions are available including disciplinary action, and in extreme or persistent cases, termination of employment/services and, if appropriate, criminal proceedings.
	The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.

Departmental Written Questions

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions for written answer his Department has declined to answer in substantive form on the ground of  (a) disproportionate cost and  (b) the information sought not being held centrally in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer from my right hon. Friend, the former Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith), on 2 June 2008,  Official Report, column 729W.

DNA: Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many DNA samples recovered from crime scenes produced multiple matches when checked against the national DNA database in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: A total of 1,004 DNA profiles taken from crime scenes and loaded to the National DNA Database (NDNAD) between 1 May 2008 and 30 April 2009 matched against more than one subject profile. This equates to an average of 83.7 multiple matches per month over this 12 month period.
	The SGM Plus profiling system looks at 10 areas within the DNA molecule and derives from these a profile normally consisting of 20 numbers plus a sex marker indicating whether the person is male or female. With such a profile the likelihood of a random match to a person unconnected to the crime is a minimum of one in a billion.
	Biological material found at a crime scene will degrade due to the effects of the environment, ultraviolet light, or bacteria, among other factors. There may be very little DNA in very small stains of biological material. In either case it may not be possible to produce a full DNA profile. In some cases, a partial profile may be produced by the analysis of the DNA and in some cases no DNA profile at all would be obtained. A partial profile consists of fewer than the 20 numbers of a full SGM+ DNA profile. A crime scene profile of eight numbers plus the sex marker would be sufficient to load to the DNA database.
	Evidence from such a partial profile may still be crucial, not least because of its ability to conclusively eliminate people from an investigation. A match of a person to such a partial profile carries significantly less weight than a match to a full profile and it is quite possible that two or more people might have the same partial DNA profile. The evidence presented to a court will reflect this. The Crown Prosecution Service have made clear that in any case involving a DNA profile there must be appropriate supporting evidence before a prosecution is initiated.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on tackling the offence of driving without insurance in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: Enforcement of the offence is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. They will decide on what allocation of their resources is appropriate.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of driving without insurance and one other or more offences in the last 12 months; and which were the five most common offences for which people were convicted together with driving without insurance during that period.

Alan Campbell: Data provided by the Ministry of Justice on the findings of guilt at all courts for vehicle insurance offences in England and Wales, in 2007 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Information on the number of people convicted of a mixture of offences is not separately published.
	Data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Findings of guilt at all courts for vehicle insurance offences in England and Wales 2007( 1) 
			  Offence type  Total findings of guilt 
			  Vehicle insurance offences:  
			 Using motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks 232,811 
			 Making false statements or withholding material information 272 
			 Other insurance offences (excluding fraud and forgery) 16,015 
			 Sub-total 249,098 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: OCJR E&A (Office for Criminal Justice Reform, Evidence and Analysis Unit), Ministry of Justice

Entry Clearances: Families

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many family visitor visa applications were received from people in each of the six countries from which most applications were received in each of the last seven years; and how many such visas were granted to people from each of those countries.

Phil Woolas: The number of family visit  (a) visa applications and  (b) visas issued, in each of the top six countries by volume of applications, in each of the last five calendar years, is shown in the following table. Reliable data for previous years are not held.
	
		
			  Family visit visa s 
			Number 
			  2004   
			 India Applications 91,959 
			  Visas issued 73,562 
			
			 Nigeria Applications 44,654 
			  Visas issued 26,104 
			
			 Pakistan Applications 37,375 
			  Visas issued 17,040 
			
			 Ghana Applications 24,794 
			  Visas issued 11,772 
			
			 Iran Applications 16,532 
			  Visas issued 13,589 
			
			 China Applications 14,461 
			  Visas issued 11,852 
			
			 Total applications 2004  229,775 
			 Total visas issued 2004  153,919 
			
			  2005   
			 India Applications 110,697 
			  Visas issued 87,763 
			
			 Nigeria Applications 64,122 
			  Visas issued 35,415 
			
			 Pakistan Applications 63,561 
			  Visas issued 39,569 
			
			 Ghana Applications 18,965 
			  Visas issued 8,839 
			
			 Iran Applications 18,142 
			  Visas issued 14,461 
			
			 China Applications 16,788 
			  Visas issued 13,754 
			
			 Total applications 2005  292,275 
			 Total visas issued 2005  199,801 
			
			  2006   
			 India Applications 120,373 
			  Visas issued 100,195 
			
			 Pakistan Applications 92,629 
			  Visas issued 62,208 
			
			 Nigeria Applications 63,972 
			  Visas issued 32,234 
			
			 China Applications 18,309 
			  Visas issued 17,071 
			
			 Iran Applications 18,295 
			  Visas issued 16,577 
			
			 Sri Lanka Applications 15,377 
			  Visas issued 12,766 
			
			 Total applications 2006  328,955 
			 Total visas issued 2006  241,051 
			
			  2007   
			 India Applications 120,350 
			  Visas issued 97,116 
			
			 Pakistan Applications 81,141 
			  Visas issued 50,496 
			
			 Nigeria Applications 56,172 
			  Visas issued 32,791 
			
			 China Applications 20,779 
			  Visas issued 19,211 
			
			 Iran Applications 18,590 
			  Visas issued 15,304 
			
			 Bangladesh Applications 15,012 
			  Visas issued 8,998 
			
			 Total applications 2007  312,044 
			 Total visas issued 2007  223,916 
			
			  2008   
			 India Applications 103,315 
			  Visas issued 88,376 
			
			 Pakistan Applications 65,486 
			  Visas issued 38,272 
			
			 Nigeria Applications 46,170 
			  Visas issued 27,618 
			
			 China Applications 20,845 
			  Visas issued 19,138 
			
			 Iran Applications 17,511 
			  Visas issued 13,399 
			 Sri Lanka Applications 12,829 
			  Visas issued 10,832 
			
			 Total applications 2008  266,156 
			 Total visas issued 2008  197,635

Human Trafficking

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 1227-28W, on human trafficking, how many of those foreign nationals convicted for human trafficking offences were deported on the completion of their sentence.

Alan Campbell: To date there have been 106 convictions for trafficking for sexual exploitation, five for trafficking for forced labour and three for conspiracy to traffic. Of these convictions recorded by the UK Human Trafficking Centre 25 people have been deported with a further 35 having received recommendations for deportation at the end of their sentence.

Illegal Immigrants

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were detained at their point of entry to the UK in each month of 2008; and how many were subsequently deported.

Alan Johnson: The following table outlines how many illegal entrants were detained at their point of entry to the UK and subsequently removed or deported, during each month of 2008.
	
		
			  Month  Total illegal entrants detained at port  Total removed  Total deported 
			  2008
			 January 814 792 0 
			 February 730 722 0 
			 March 620 589 0 
			 April 573 557 0 
			 May 510 492 0 
			 June 537 510 (1)5 
			 July 662 645 0 
			 August 700 650 0 
			 September 968 921 0 
			 October 1,096 1,065 0 
			 November 963 949 0 
			 December 740 720 0 
			 
			 Total 8,913 8,612 (1)5 
			 (1 )Total figure is no greater than five.  Note: The data provided are based on locally-collated management information and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics. It is provisional and may be subject to change.

Immigration

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues to reduce levels of enforced migration to the UK, with particular reference to  (a) human rights abuses and  (b) levels of inequality in source countries.

Phil Woolas: I have regular discussions with the Home Secretary about controlling immigration to the United Kingdom. The foreword to the UK Border Agency business plan for 2009-12 was signed jointly by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Financial Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury, reflecting the cross cutting nature of the Government's work on immigration. I also meet regularly to discuss issues of joint interest, with Ministers from across Government, including with colleagues from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which leads on global human rights and the Department for International Development which leads for the UK in the fight against global poverty.
	Information on the Government's work in this area is published in the FCO's Annual Report on Human Rights which can be found at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdf15/human-rights-2008

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisation will be responsible for the preparation of the code of conduct for vehicle immobilisation companies; and what standards his Department expects to be included in the code.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 16 June 2009
	The Home Office issued a consultation document on the "Licensing of Vehicle Immobilisation Businesses" on 30 April 2009.
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vehicle-immobilisation/
	The consultation closes on 23 July.
	The Government's preferred option is the compulsory licensing of vehicle immobilisation businesses by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) which would require compliance with a compulsory code of practice.
	Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Home Office will draft the code of practice with input from the SIA. The code is likely to include industry-wide standards for:
	a signage, including size and visibility;
	maximum penalties charged and payment methods;
	minimum time between immobilisation and removal;
	providing evidence that a parking infringement has taken place;
	security and location of pound where vehicles are impounded; and
	complaints and appeals policy.

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers his Department expects the Security Industry Authority to have in respect of vehicle immobilisation.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 16 June 2009
	The Home Office issued a consultation document on the "Licensing of Vehicle Immobilisation Businesses" on 30 April 2009.
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vehicle-immobilisation/
	The consultation closes on 23 July.
	The Government's preferred option is the compulsory licensing of vehicle immobilisation businesses by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The details of the scheme will be decided after the consultation period has ended.
	Under these proposals, the SIA would be the regulator with responsibility for approving applications from vehicle immobilisation businesses. The SIA would also have powers of enforcement, similar to those which they already have in relation to individual licences, including revocation or suspension of a licence, and prosecution.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter dated 5 January 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Mr. A. Hamid.

Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the former Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith), wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 April 2009.

Members: Correspondence

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the UK Border Agency's MPs' Parliamentary Business Unit plans to reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh West's correspondence of 13 May 2009 on his constituent Mrs. Florence Kpakiwa.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 12 June 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter to his predecessor of 29 April 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Florence Lolonyo Ami Kpodo.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 16 June 2009.

Olympic Games 2012

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent members of staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its associated public bodies are working on projects relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; how many of them are working on (i) project management, (ii) legacy planning, (iii) project oversight and (iv) financial oversight; and what plans he has for future staffing levels in each case.

David Hanson: There are currently 47.6 Home Office staff or equivalents engaged full time on aspects of the development of and planning for the London 2012 Games. Roles are not specifically project based. Other staff in the Home Office and its agencies, such as the Serious Organised Crime Agency, are involved in Olympic-related projects as part of their wider duties as required.
	There are currently 144.37 full-time equivalent staff from the Metropolitan Police and other police forces working on Olympic security. They are a mix of officers and civilians engaged in operational, project and programme roles which also involve both financial oversight and legacy planning.
	Staffing numbers in the Home Office, its agencies and police forces will fluctuate according to the demands of the programme and are kept under constant review. The split of resources between these organisations may also change as a result of the formation of the Olympic Security Directorate in the Home Office involving the formal secondment of some staff from police forces and other agencies to the Home Office.

Overseas Students: Entry Clearances

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many holders of student visas applied  (a) successfully and  (b) unsuccessfully for the right to remain in the UK in a category other than that of student in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Personal Records: Data Protection

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Epping Forest of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, column 174W, on personal records: data protection, what the eight data fields of advance passenger information are that the e-Borders system will capture

Alan Johnson: The e-Borders system requires carriers to provide the data contained in the machine readable zone (MRZ) of a passport. The eight data fields are:
	Name
	Date of birth
	Nationality
	Gender
	Travel document type
	State of issue
	Passport number
	Passport expiry date.
	This information has been checked at the UK border for many years, e-Borders allows this check to take place before travel into or out of the country.

Police: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing schemes in  (a) Tameside and  (b) Stockport.

David Hanson: Neighbourhood policing provides high visibility, reassurance policing in all communities in England and Wales, including Tameside and Stockport, establishing local priorities with local people by engaging with the community on the issues which matter most to them. There are four neighbourhood policing teams in Thameside Division and four teams in Stockport Division.
	HMIC has inspected every force in England and Wales to assess their capabilities in delivering Neighbourhood Policing and Developing Citizen Focus. HMIC's assessment is that all forces, including the Greater Manchester police who cover Tameside and Stockport, have met this standard.

Travel Restrictions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the US Administration on the creation of the list of foreign nationals barred from entry to the UK, with particular reference to the inclusion of Michael Savage on that list.

Phil Woolas: The Home Office did not consult the US Administration about the creation of the list of foreign nationals who are excluded from the United Kingdom on unacceptable behaviour grounds, which included US citizen, Michael Savage. However following publication of the list on 5 May, Home Office and FCO officials have discussed the Government's policy on exclusion with American officials.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Females: Protection

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what measures are in place to help women affected by the no recourse to public funds rule.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 11 June 2009
	I have been asked to reply.
	Currently there is no statutory support available for women affected by the no recourse to public funds rule but the Government are working on a range of proposals which will be announced shortly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Demos

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what  (a) private meetings and  (b) public engagements Ministers in his Department have attended at which representatives from the think-tank Demos were present in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: During the last 12 months, no representatives from think-tank Demos were present at any of the private meetings or public engagements Ministers attended.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his Department in 2008-09 to date.

Shaun Woodward: Costs incurred on reimbursable expenses in 2008-09 will be available only when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2009 summer recess.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected exposure range for bad debt is in relation to the Asset Protection Scheme.

Kitty Ussher: As announced on 26 February, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) agreed in principle to protect £325 billion of assets in the Asset Protection Scheme; and on 7 March Lloyds Banking Group (Lloyds) agreed in principle to protect £260 billion of assets in the scheme. After the deduction of the first loss (£42.2 billion and £35.2 billion respectively) that falls to the participating banks, the Treasury will guarantee 90 per cent. of the remaining value (at 31 December 2008) of the covered assets.
	The Treasury and its advisers are continuing to work with participating banks to conduct due diligence on the assets intended for inclusion in the scheme.
	Further detailed information will be provided after the final contracts are signed.

Banks: Finance

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent progress has been made in the implementation of the Asset Protection Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The Treasury and its advisers are continuing to work with the participating banks to reach a final agreement on the terms and conditions of the Asset Protection Scheme (APS) and to conduct due diligence on the assets intended for inclusion in the scheme.
	The Government are in the process of recruiting a chief executive to run the new agency, the Asset Protection Agency, at arms length from the day-to-day business of the Treasury, and administer the APS on the taxpayer's behalf.
	Further detailed information will be provided after the final contracts are signed.

Barnett Formula

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government plans to publish its factual paper on the Barnett formula.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 June 2009
	 No decision has yet been made regarding the publication date of the factual paper on the Barnett Formula.

Bradford and Bingley

Alan Meale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date Ministers in his Department asked departmental officials to draft proposals to take the Bradford and Bingley Building Society into public ownership.

Kitty Ussher: I refer the Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) on 10 March 2009,  Official Report, column 257W.

Bradford and Bingley

Alan Meale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the decision to take the Bradford and Bingley Building Society into public ownership was taken.

Kitty Ussher: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Dr. Taylor) on 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 365W.

Bradford and Bingley

Alan Meale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons his Department determined that  (a) bonds held by the Government in Bradford and Bingley would be ranked above Bradford and Bingley subordinated bondholders for settlement and  (b) bonds held by the Government in Northern Rock would be ranked below Northern Rock subordinated bondholders for settlement.

Ian Pearson: The position of the Treasury in respect of both banks reflects the normal credit hierarchy.
	In the case of Bradford and Bingley, the Treasury and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) provided £18 billion of funding to enable all retail deposits held in the bank to be transferred to Abbey. Given that this funding replaced retail deposits, the rights of the Treasury and the FSCS in respect of the proceeds of the wind-down and the realisation of Bradford and Bingley's assets rank above subordinated creditors, in the same way that the rights of retail depositors would have been senior to subordinated creditors. The Treasury also has a claim on the proceeds of the wind-down as Bradford and Bingley's sole shareholder. This claim ranks below the claim of subordinated creditors, in the same way that it is usual for equity to rank below subordinated debt.
	In Northern Rock's case, the position of the Treasury again reflects the normal credit hierarchy: the Government as senior creditor ranks above Northern Rock subordinated bondholders while as shareholder the Treasury ranks below such subordinated debt.

Council Tax: Costs

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost of administering council tax.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I have been asked to reply.
	The cost of administering council tax is a matter for local billing authorities.

Council Tax: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 7 May 2009,  Official Report, column 384W, on council tax: valuation, what types of property data are provided to the Valuation Office Agency by the Stamp Duty Office of HM Revenue and Customs.

Stephen Timms: The property data supplied by the Stamp Taxes Office to the Valuation Office Agency are all such data contained within the stamp duty land transaction return, which is online at:
	http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/hmrc/forms/viewform.jsp?formld=932

Departmental Billing

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of invoices his Department and its agencies paid within 10 days of receipt in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days on average  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies has taken to pay invoices from suppliers in each month since November 2008.

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent progress his Department has made in ensuring that invoices for public sector contractors are paid within 10 days.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 10 June 2009
	Since the Government's commitment announced in October 2008 to pay invoices within 10 days, the Treasury Group's performance against the target, including the number of invoices processed and the number of days taken to pay is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Treasury Group invoice payment performance November 2008 to May 2009 
			  Month( 1)  Invoices paid within 10 working days  Percentage of invoices paid within 10 working days  Average working days to pay 
			 November 2008 854 88 10 
			 December 2008 883 93 6 
			 January 2009 796 89 7 
			 February 2009 893 95 6 
			 March 2009 1,117 93 6 
			 April 2009 801 87 8 
			 May 2009 686 87 9 
			 (1) Payment performance for invoices received by Treasury Group organisations within each calendar month.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many actions under employment law have been brought against his Department in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each category of action; and how many such actions were contested by his Department at an employment tribunal.

Kitty Ussher: It is the Treasury's policy not to release data on staff where to do so could lead to the identification of individuals, including aggregated data relating to fewer than five staff members.
	In each of the last three financial years there have been fewer than five industrial tribunal cases.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been received by the UK from the EU under the Objective One and Convergence Programmes Fund in respect of Wales in each year from 1999-2000.

Liam Byrne: Receipts from the EU under the Objective One and Convergence Programmes Fund in respect of Wales are paid by the Commission to the Welsh Assembly Government. Programmes are agreed between the Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of monies received from the EU as part of Objective One and Convergence Programme funding in Wales has been transferred to the Welsh Assembly Government in each year since 1999-2000.

Liam Byrne: All monies received from the EU as part of the Objective One and Convergence Programme funding in Wales are paid by the Commission to the Welsh Assembly Government.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which departments have an agreement with his Department permitting the use in accounts of EU receipts to offset expenditure; and from what date each such agreement came into operation.

Ian Pearson: The Consolidated Budgeting Guidance sets out the budgeting treatment for receipts from the EU.
	Para 3.52 states:
	"Income from the EC may be netted off Resource Budget DEL if it is in support of DEL spending and if it supports current expenditure."
	The Consolidated Budgeting Guidance can be found at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consolidatedbudgeting_guidance200910.pdf

Geographical Information Systems: Procurement

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies have been awarded the contracts under OGCbuying.solutions contract tender Reference RM 341, on geographic information services and solutions; and which public bodies are purchasing geographical information under the contracts.

Ian Pearson: Suppliers awarded contracts under OCGbuying.solutions contract tender references RM 341 Geographic Information Services and Solutions can be found at
	http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/frameworks/full.html?list_by=name&contract_search=GISS&search=search
	The public bodies currently using the GISS framework to purchase GI services and data are:
	 Lot 1: Geographic Information Solutions
	CEH Wallingford (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
	Centre of Ecology and Hydrology
	Cheshire Police Authority
	Consumer Focus
	Cumbria Constabulary
	Department for Communities and Local Government
	Department for Work and Pensions
	Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
	Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
	Electoral Commission
	English Heritage
	Environment Agency
	External Supply Group, DWP
	Government Communications Planning Directorate
	HM Revenue and Customs
	London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	National Offender Management Service
	NHS Connecting for Health
	Office of Government Commerce
	Renfrewshire Council
	South Yorkshire Police Authority
	 Lot 2: Map Making Services
	Ministry of Defence CinCFIeet
	 Lot 3: Data Capture, Analysis and Manipulations Services
	Animal Health
	Department for Communities and Local Government
	Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
	Environment Agency
	HM Revenue and Customs
	Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
	South Cambridgeshire District Council

Government Departments: Capital Investment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proceeds from asset and property sales available to Departments for accounting in their capital budgets in the next five years.

Liam Byrne: Estimates of central Government asset sales up to 2010-11 can be found in the 'Budget 2009: the economy and public finances—supplementary material', on table 2.3. This is available at
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/Budget2009/bud09_econfinances_968.pdf
	The Operational Efficiency Programme reported at Budget 2009 on areas for potential future Government asset sales. The full report can be found at
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/oep_final_report 210409_pu728.pdf
	Estimates of proceeds available to Departments after 2011-12 will be provided at future fiscal events.
	As set out in the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, the current budgeting framework is designed to ensure that most proceeds from fixed asset sales are made available to Departments. This is set out in sections 7.20 to 7.25 of the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, available at
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consolidatedbudgeting_guidance200910.pdf

Government Departments: Procurement

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards implementation of the recommendations in the May 2009 review Operational Efficiency Programme: collaborative procurement  (a) to empower commercial directors in Government departments to agree targets for uptake of collaborative strategies for each non departmental public body and executive agency within their department,  (b) for review groups to monitor the collaborative procurement performance of Government departments and  (c) for Office of Government Commerce to (i) agree a Government eProcurement policy, (ii) expand the contracts database and (iii) perform an investment appraisal for a central eAuction Centre of Excellence.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 June 2009
	A supplementary report to the Operational Efficiency Programme Final Report, explaining how the collaborative procurement recommendations will be delivered, was published on 13 May 2009, and is available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/vfm_operational_efficiency.htm
	Actions are under way to address all of the recommendations and progress will be published in the autumn pre-Budget report.

Housing: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the package for housing announced in the 2009 Budget is to be funded from  (a) bringing forward budgets from future years,  (b) the Consolidated Fund,  (c) public borrowing and  (d) other means.

Ian Pearson: The policy decisions made at the Budget are set out in Chapter A of the Budget document. The 2009 Budget announced a £500 million fund for England to stimulate housing development in the short-term and boost capacity in the house building industry in the long term. This includes £100 million in funding for local authorities to deliver new energy efficient social housing and £400 million to unlock currently stalled housing developments. The package is funded through additional borrowing none of which has been brought forward from future budgets.

Housing: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1006W, on the Valuation Office: South East, 
	(1)  if he will rank each individual locality reference in each valuation area in the East Midlands according to its value significance;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1043W, on council tax: valuation, if he will rank each individual locality reference in each valuation area in the West Midlands according to its value significance.

Stephen Timms: A list of locality reference numbers, ranked in order of value significance by valuation area within the Valuation Office Agency's West Midlands Group, has been placed in the Library. The list is based on data extracted between 27 February 2009 and 2 March 2009.
	Information that identifies the extent and location of each locality, relative to the list of numbers that ranks each individual locality, is commercially confidential.

Housing: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1043W, on council tax: valuation, what the average number of dwellings is in each locality group in England.

Stephen Timms: On 11 June 2009, the average number of dwellings per locality group in England was 5,809.

Housing: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic property transaction records the HM Revenue and Customs Stamp Duty Office provided to the Valuation Office Agency in 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The total number of transactions received from the Stamp Taxes Office between 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 was 979,510 of which approximately 90 per cent. (881,559) are domestic transactions.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) proposals he has considered and  (b) discussions he has had on amendment of the lower rate of income tax in the last nine months; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive proposals and have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Local Government: Pensions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the deficit in the Local Government Pension Scheme counts towards national public sector debt.

Liam Byrne: Public sector net debt is compiled by the independent Office for National Statistics and is drawn from the National Accounts. It does not reflect any surplus or deficit in the individual funds constituting the Local Government Pension Scheme. Communities and Local Government publishes amalgamated Local Government Pension Scheme statistical data on their website and details can be found at the following address:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/stats/pensions.htm
	Details on the individual local government pension funds can be found at the following address:
	http://www.cipfa.org.uk/panels/pensions/download/2007_LGPS_Valuation_Survey_Results.pdf

Northern Rock

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent timetable is for repayment of loans advanced to Northern Rock.

Ian Pearson: The Government announced on 23 February of this year that in order to enable Northern Rock to undertake increased levels of new lending, the bank will be restructured so that the back book of mortgages is managed separately to its other business.
	The Government also announced at the time that they will increase the loan to Northern Rock and extend the repayment schedule. The Government are continuing to work with Northern Rock to finalise the details of the restructuring, based on achieving maximum value for the taxpayer and with a view to creating a viable entity for sale at a later date. Further details will be published once a final plan has been agreed.

Personal Income

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) median and  (b) mean gross household income was for a household comprising (i) two working age adults and two children, (ii) one working age adult and two children, (iii) one working age adult and one child, (iv) two working age adults and four children, (v) two working age adults and (vi) one working age adult in the latest 12 month period for which information is available.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the median and mean gross household income for the household types requested.
	
		
			  Median and mean gross unequivalised household income (£ per week), for various household types, United Kingdom, 2007-08 
			   Gross unequivalised household income 
			  Household type  Median  Mean 
			 Two working age adults and two children 770 1,034 
			 One working age adult and two children 329 384 
			 One working age adult and one child 290 354 
			 Two working age adults and four children 619 n/a 
			 Two working age adults, either with or without children 740 939 
			 One working age adult, either with or without children 330 429 
			 n/a = Not available  Notes: These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI), sourced from the Family Resources Survey. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. The reference period for HBAI figures is single financial years. The income measure used here is unequivalised, i.e. it has not been adjusted for household size and composition. This is because the groups requested are based on household size and composition, and in this specific instance, equivalisation would cloud the comparison between household types. This means that the statistics presented are on a different basis to those in the HBAI publication. Median household incomes are less affected by outliers, and are therefore generally more commonly used in analysis of incomes. In particular, the sample size for households containing two working age adults and four children is relatively small, so estimates for this group are subject to a higher degree of sampling error than the other groups presented. This particularly affects the mean, where no robust estimate can be produced. Gross incomes have been presented. The HBAI publication looks at net disposable incomes Before and After Housing Costs. While the statistics cover individuals who are of working age, not all individuals will be working. Source: Households Below Average Income, 2007-08

Pregnant Women: Grants

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants have been disbursed.

Stephen Timms: From its introduction on 6 April 2009 and up to 30 April, HM Revenue and Customs disbursed 80,000 Health in Pregnancy grants. Data after this date are not yet available.

Public Expenditure

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in  (a) current,  (b) capital and  (c) all public expenditure in real terms between 2011-12 to 2013-14.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 June 2009
	 Over 2011-12 to 2013-14, public sector current expenditure (PSCE) is set to grow at an average of 0.7 per cent. a year in real terms, and public sector net investment (PSNI) will move to 1.25 per cent. of GDP by 2013-14.

Public Expenditure: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what publication sets out the Government's budgeting rules for EU receipts in respect of Wales.

Liam Byrne: The Government's budgeting rules regarding EU receipts in respect of Wales are set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury in October 2007.

Public Finance

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the next long-term public finance report.

Liam Byrne: As set out in Budget 2009, the next long-term public finance report will be published in 2009.

Public Sector: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 2 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 1390-91W, on public sector pensions, what estimate he made of the cost to his Department of calculating a revised estimate of the potential net saving in employer costs for the pension schemes for the NHS, teachers and Civil Service over the 50-year period.

Liam Byrne: Revised estimates of capitalised savings, such as were calculated in 2005 before scheme reforms were fully developed, are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The packages of reforms vary considerably between schemes, as will the effects on employer pension contributions and payments of pension benefits. Detailed questions about the financial effects are for the Departments responsible for the schemes.

Regional Economic Council

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1046W, on the Regional Economic Council, what the name of each local government representative is.

Ian Pearson: Local authorities are represented at the Regional Economic Council by the Chair of the Local Government Association and by regional representatives nominated by the Local Government Association. These representatives are drawn from members of the LGA, but are selected in advance of each meeting. It is not, therefore, possible to list members' names.

Revenue and Customs: Standards

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target has been set in respect of the time taken by HM Revenue and Customs to process a claim for  (a) a National Insurance contribution refund,  (b) an inheritance tax refund and  (c) a capital gains tax refund; and what the (i) average and (ii) maximum time taken to process such a claim was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Both national insurance contribution refunds and inheritance tax repayments are processed in line with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) departmental objective 2, i.e. 80 per cent. of cases to be cleared within 15 working days and 95 per cent. to be cleared within 40 working days. These targets were met in 2008-09.
	All repayments due for capital gains tax are made under the self-assessment system. Refunds made from online self-assessment returns are normally made within seven days. For paper returns HMRC identify returns on receipt marked 'repayment' and process these as priority. HMRC seek to strike a balance between issuing repayments as quickly as possible for the benefit of customers and ensuring Exchequer protection.

Valuation Office: Northern Ireland Land and Property Services

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1049W, on the Valuation Office: Northern Ireland Land and Property Services, if he will place in the Library a copy of minutes of the  (a) 47th,  (b) 48th and  (c) 49th meetings.

Stephen Timms: A copy of the minutes of the 49th meeting of the Steering Committee on Harmonisation (Practice and Procedure) England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland will be placed in the Library.
	For the minutes of the 47th and 48th meetings I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 19 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 1369-70W.

Valuation Office: Video Recordings

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency has produced any video films under its e-learning programme relating to council tax valuations.

Stephen Timms: No.

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit awards were modified or changed in-year from their original calculation in 2007-08.

Stephen Timms: The specific information requested is available only at disproportionate cost. However, HM Revenue and Customs processed more than 14 million items as change of circumstances between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008. The changes may not necessarily have led to a change in the calculation of a tax credit award, while some awards may have changed more than once. This figure includes the processing of change of circumstances notifications and changes made following some IT upgrades.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the mandated target for bottled water holdings is held in Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: The volume of bottled water currently held in Afghanistan as at 11 June 2009 is 110 per cent. of the minimum mandated stock holding.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents of  (a) theft and  (b) vandalism have been reported in relation to British military supplies during transit from the port of debarkation in Pakistan to the final destination in Afghanistan in each month in 2009 to date.

Bill Rammell: There have been no incidents of theft or vandalism reported on British military supplies during transit from the port of debarkation in Pakistan to the final destination in Afghanistan during 2009.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Pakistani military personnel are  (a) assigned,  (b) attached and  (c) embedded with UK military forces in Regional Command South.

Bill Rammell: There are currently no personnel from the Pakistani armed forces assigned, attached or embedded with UK armed forces in Regional Command (South).

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements there are for the training of RAF pilots in air-to-air refuelling techniques before Tornado GR4s deploy to Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: All RAF crews deploying on Op Herrick are fully combat ready. Combat-ready aircrew training for the Tornado GR4 includes full training for air-to-air refuelling.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2009,  Official Report, column 828W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what his estimate is of the number of troops likely to be required by Regional Command South in October 2009.

Bob Ainsworth: Troop levels within Regional Command (South) are a matter for ISAF.

Air Force: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) inflow and  (b) outflow rate was of RAF pilot crew for each aircraft type in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The following table shows intakes and outflows of RAF pilots (three year average to FY2007-08).
	
		
			  Intake 
			  Aircraft type  Number 
			 Fast Jet 40 
			 Rotary Wing 50 
			 Multi Engine 40 
			 Total 130 
		
	
	Intakes are Into Productive Service flows, personnel flowing from untrained to trained strength.
	
		
			  Outflow 
			  Aircraft type  Outflow  Percentage rate 
			 Fast Jet 60 7 
			 Rotary Wing 40 6 
			 Multi Engine 70 9 
			 Total 160 8 
		
	
	Outflows are of all pilots, including ranks of Wing Commander and above who are classified as belonging to the General Duties branch, and therefore not all will be flying aircraft when they leave the service.
	Rates are a percentage of average trained strength as at 1 April for relevant three years.

Air Force: Military Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cannibalisations of each type of RAF aircraft there have been in  (a) each year since 2005 and  (b) the last 12 months.

Quentin Davies: The information requested covers a large number of aircraft and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member when this work is complete.

Armed Forces: Foreigners

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of making retrospective wage payments to  (a) Commonwealth soldiers and  (b) soldiers of other nationalities who served in the British armed forces between 1947 and 2004 to make their earnings equivalent to those of UK service people.

Kevan Jones: All non-British personnel now serving in the British armed forces have exactly the same pay arrangements as UK personnel and there are currently no plans to undertake a retrospective review. It has long been the policy of successive Governments not to implement changes to pay policy retrospectively, a policy that has been applied across the public sector in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, no estimate has been made of the cost of retrospective treatment in either case, and to do so would involve disproportionate cost. Additionally, pay records are kept for seven years before destruction, so individual cases could not be assessed beyond the last seven years. Given the number of personnel involved the costs would be significant.

Armed Forces: Housing

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on upgrading accommodation for serving personnel and their families in  (a) the UK and  (b) Scotland since 2000.

Kevan Jones: I will write to the right hon. and learned Member with the information requested because it is not held centrally and will take more time to collate and verify.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Menzies Campbell:
	In my answer of 12 May 2009 (Official Report: Column 432W) I promised to provide you with details on how much has been spent on upgrading accommodation for serving personnel and their families in the UK and Scotland since 2000.
	The following was spent upgrading Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in Great Britain (GB) in each financial year since 2001-02, the latest year for which figures are available.
	
		
			  FY  GB (£ million) 
			 2001-02 25.3 
			 2002-03 25.5 
			 2003-04 35.5 
			 2004-05 18.1 
			 2005-06 32.4 
			 2006-07 16.4 
			 2007-08 16.9 
			 2008-09 35.5 
		
	
	Of which, the following was spent upgrading SFA in Scotland:
	
		
			  FY  Scotland (£ million) 
			 2001-02 3.7 
			 2002-03 0.3 
			 2003-04 0.2 
			 2004-05 0.2 
			 2005-06 3.1 
			 2006-07 3.4 
			 2007-08 1.0

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of each armoured vehicle type is  (a) fit for operations,  (b) in limited role,  (c) awaiting spares and  (d) not operational for other reasons.

Quentin Davies: This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what percentage of vehicles of each type in the armoured vehicle fleet has been cannibalised in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many vehicles of each type in the armoured vehicle fleet have been cannibalised in each of the last  (a) 12 months and  (b) four years.

Quentin Davies: This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the answer the right hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) gave him on 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 33W.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many urgent operational requirement armoured vehicles of each type have been  (a) ordered since July 2006 and  (b) delivered to UK Land Command.

Quentin Davies: 1,124 Urgent Operational Requirement armoured vehicles have been ordered since July 2006. As at 12 June 2009, 444 had been delivered to UK Land Forces. The breakdown by type is as follows:
	
		
			  Vehicle  Ordered since July 2006  Delivered to UK Land Forces 
			 Warthog 115 0 
			 Talisman Mastiff 2 24 0 
			 Talisman Buffalo 14 0 
			 Talisman high mobility excavator (HMEE) 13 4 
			 Ridgback 157 57 
			 Mastiff 274 190 
			 Vector(1) 138 178 
			 Wolfound 97 0 
			 Husky 262 0 
			 Cougar 30 15 
			 Total 1,124 444 
			 (1) Vector -138 vehicles have been ordered since July 2006; In addition to this figure 60 were ordered in June 2006, and these are reflected in the delivery column.

Army: Defence Equipment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Army's latest Total Fleet Requirement document.

Bill Rammell: A copy of the latest Army Total Fleet Requirement, from 2006, was placed in the Library of the House in January 2008. This remains the extant version.

Ex-servicemen: Suicide

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission further research on  (a) the incidence of suicide among former service personnel and  (b) the merits of psychological autopsies in cases of suicide among such personnel.

Kevan Jones: The Department has no plans at present to commission research into the incidence of suicide among veterans, including psychological autopsies.
	We do however take a close interest in the health of those leaving the services. In 2003, the Department commissioned Kings College, London, to undertake a study of the health outcomes for some 20,000 personnel deployed to Iraq or in a non-deployed comparator group. This includes analysis of mental health outcomes which so far shows that generally there is not a higher incidence of mental health problems among those deployed. We will continue to monitor carefully the research, which has now been extended to cover in addition personnel deployed to Afghanistan. In addition, scrutiny of international peer reviewed literature takes place when it is published.

Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) freight and  (b) passenger capacity is of (i) the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft and (ii) each commercial air-to-air service provider.

Quentin Davies: The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft was selected in competition and uses a fleet of modified Airbus A330 aircraft to achieve the technical and military capability requirements.
	The freight capacity is 43 tonnes, or 136 cubic metres. The passenger capacity is 291.
	There are no commercial air-to-air service providers with approval to operate on the UK civil or military aircraft registers with which to make a comparison.

Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fuel off-load capacity is of  (a) the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft and  (b) each commercial air-to-air service provider.

Quentin Davies: The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) is required to deliver a capability measured through operational analysis against war fighting scenarios. The capacity of the individual aircraft is therefore of secondary importance to its capability, and the fleet has been sized to meet the operational requirement. No direct comparison can be made with another aircraft. Additionally, there are no commercial air-to-air service providers with approval to operate on the UK civil or military aircraft registers.
	The maximum fuel capacity is 111 tonnes. The fuel offload capacity is related to the radius of action, aircraft fuel consumption and the time on station at the refuelling location. For FSTA this fuel capacity relates to a standard sortie scenario of 500 miles radius of action, 140 minutes on station and a fuel offload of 60 tonnes to 20 different receiver aircraft.

Military Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what trials his Department has undertaken with commercial air-to-air refuelling service providers in the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the results of those trials.

Quentin Davies: The Ministry of Defence has undertaken no trials with private sector air to air refuelling service providers in the last three years. A commercial service has been used by the RAF in the US, under extant bilateral arrangements with the US Military but this was not a formal trial.

Military Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the airworthiness of the  (a) TriStar and  (b) VC10 fleets.

Quentin Davies: RAF TriStar and VC10 aircraft are designed and certified to strict airworthiness and safety standards. The structural integrity of the aircraft is maintained by adherence to the procedures detailed within military airworthiness regulations. The review of airworthiness and safety of the aircraft is a routine and continual activity. It includes a comprehensive maintenance and repair process that covers routine flight servicing before and after each flight.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters are in service in the armed forces; and what the  (a) target and  (b) actual number of each type of helicopter fit for purpose is.

Quentin Davies: "In Service" has been taken to mean the effective fleet which covers all aircraft barring those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal.
	"Fit for Purpose" aircraft are those in the forward fleet ie available to Front Line Commands for operational and training purposes (including those that are classed as "short term unserviceable") that are considered capable of carrying out their planned missions on a given date.
	The number of helicopters "Fit for Purpose" varies from day to day due, primarily, to routine maintenance requirements. Therefore, the figures in the table are averages for May 2009:
	
		
			  Helicopter type/mark  In-Service( 1)  (effective fleet)  Fit for Purpose—target  Fit for Purpose—actual( 2) 
			 Augusta 109 4 2 3.3 
			 Apache 67 18.1 14.0 
			 Chinook Mk2/2a 40 19.0 18.4 
			 Gazelle 42 15.4 20.1 
			 Lynx Mk3/Mk8 61 26 26.4 
			 Lynx Mk7/9 94 35.0 23.0 
			 Merlin Mk1 42 20 14.1 
			 Merlin Mk3/Mk3a 28 12.4 10.7 
			 Puma 34 17.5 15.9 
			 Sea King Mk3/3a 25 17 10 
			 Sea King Mk4/6 42 18.0 16.2 
			 Sea King Mk5 15 7.5 7.4 
			 Sea King Mk7 13 6.5 5.9 
			 (1) As at 1 June 2009 (2) Averages for May 2009 
		
	
	Operational capability is measured in terms of flying hours rather than the number of airframes available. All rotary wing operational requirements are currently being met.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the replacement of the Royal Navy's fleet of Lynx helicopter at the end of its service life.

Quentin Davies: The Wildcat will replace the current Army and Royal Navy Lynx helicopter fleets from 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the monetary value is of his Department's contract for the upgrade of Puma helicopters; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: No contract for the upgrade of the Puma helicopters has been placed.

Military Bases

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated  (a) market value and  (b) area is of (i) DCSA Inskip, Preston, (ii) RAF Church Fenton, Tadcaster, (iii) RAF Syerston, (iv) RAF Watton, (v) TAC Worcester, (vi) Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot, (vii) Aldershot Garrison, (viii) RAF High Wycombe, (ix) HMS Daedalus, Gosport and Fareham, (x) Anzio Barracks, Leek, (xi) HMS Forest Moor, Harrogate, (xii) RAF West Raynham, (xiii) RAF Newton, (xiv) RAF Alconbury, (xv) RAF Halton, Wendover, (xvi) RAF Brize Norton, Bicester, (xvii) DMC Dean Hill, West Dean, (xviii) RAF Chilmark, Salisbury, (xix) Connaught Barracks and (xx) Roussillon Barracks; and which of these sites is (A) redundant (B) expected to become redundant.

Kevan Jones: The potential market value of sites is usually only assessed when they become surplus. However, it is our practice not to release the estimated sale value of surplus sites as to do so might influence the market.
	The MOD's long-term Defence Estate Development Plan (DEDP), which can be found on the MOD internet at
	http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/dedp08.php,
	classifies the Department's sites in three categories; core, retained, or disposal estate.
	The other requested information for the sites listed is as follows:
	
		
			  Site name  Surplus to defence requirements (yes/no/part)  Expected to become surplus to defence requirements (yes/no) and estimated date if known  Estimated disposal area ( hectares)  Comment 
			 DCSA Inskip No No — — 
			 RAF Church Fenton Part — 13 Technical site for disposal (13.45 ha) 
			 RAF Syerston No No — — 
			 RAF Watton Sold in part 1998 — — Technical areas sold airfield retained for Training purposes 
			 TAC Worcester No — 0.15 Site will be sold to facilitate town centre redevelopment, subject to reprovision 
			 Vauxhall Barracks No tbc 10 — 
			 Aldershot Garrison Part — 163 50 per cent. for disposal at present (Aldershot Urban extension) to be followed by further tranche in about 3 years 
			 RAF High Wycombe No No — — 
			 HMS Daedalus Sold 2005 — — — 
			 Anzio Barracks Sold 2006 — — — 
			 HMS Forest Moor Part — 8 Admin area for disposal 
			 RAF West Raynham Sold 2006 — — — 
			 RAF Newton Yes — 136 Technical area sold 2005. Airfield surplus and subject to sale to Crown Estate 
			 RAF Alconbury Part — 414 Technical areas occupied by USVF. Airfield held via Joint Venture for future disposal and development 
			 RAF Halton Part — 1 Former Officers' Mess for disposal 
			 RAF Brize Norton No No — — 
			 DMC Dean Hill Part — 15 Majority sold- two areas available (13 ha and 2 ha) 
			 RAF Chilmark Yes — 27 Balance of site for disposal 
			 Connaught Barracks Sold 2007 — 24 Sold to HCA 
			 Rousillon Barracks Sold 2007 Yes-tbc 0.7 Majority sold to HCA—but further tranche awaited.

Nigeria: Military Aid

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK provides military aid to Nigeria.

Bill Rammell: The UK has provided military aid to Nigeria since UK/Nigeria Bilateral Defence Relations were re-established in 2001. MOD engagement with Nigeria is restricted to advice and support, implemented through a small team comprising our defence adviser; a British military advisory and training team; and a liaison officer to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat.
	Following a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Yar'Adua in July 2008, we have developed a focussed package of training assistance to the Nigerian armed forces to improve management of military operations and effective in-shore small boat patrolling in the Niger Delta. To take this forward the MOD is supporting the development of a Joint Maritime Security Training Centre at a military site close to Lagos. A range of courses are being offered to individuals, units and HQs, leading to a common doctrine with a strong theme throughout of respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Nimrod Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod MRA4 aircraft his Department plans to procure in the next three years.

Quentin Davies: We currently have a contract to procure nine Nimrod MRA4 aircraft in the next three years.

Radioactive Waste: Waste Management

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much liquid radioactive waste has been discharged into the sea loch at Faslane in each year since it first hosted Polaris nuclear submarines; and whether he has received recent representations from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency on the matter.

Quentin Davies: Officials are currently in the process of collating the information held by the Department; I will write to the hon. Member once this work is complete.
	 Substantive answer from Quentin Davies to Dai Davies:
	In my answer of 12 May 2009 to your Question (Official Report: Column 753W), I undertook to write to you regarding how much liquid radioactive waste has been discharged into the sea loch at Faslane in each year since it first hosted Polaris.
	Resolution Class submarines, which carried Polaris, operated out of Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde at Faslane from 1967. Information regarding liquid discharges for the period 1967-76 is not held. The information relating to liquid radioactive waste discharged into the sea loch at Faslane since 1977 is provided at Annex A.
	It may be helpful if I put this information into context. Between 1967-93 the discharge level set by Her Majesty's Industrial Pollution Inspectorate was a total radioactivity limit of 37 Gigabecquerels (GBq), excluding tritium. Since 1994 the agreement with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has included tritium and has required the information to be broken out into the different nuclide groups. The liquid radioactive discharge limits since 1994 are as follows:
	Alpha Activity: 0.200 GBq
	Beta Activity: 0.500 GBq
	Cobalt-60: 0.500 GBq
	Tritium: 1000.000 GBq
	As you can see from the figures, the total liquid radioactive discharges into the sea at Faslane have not exceeded the limits set by the regulatory authorities, and in all cases are significantly below the limits; I can confirm that SEPA have not made any recent representations on the matter.
	I hope this information is useful.
	 Annex A
	
		
			  Table 1: Liquid radioactive waste discharged during 1977-1993 under agreement with Her Majesty's Industrial Pollution Inspectorate 
			  Year  Radioactivity  Discharges in GBq 
			 1993 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.055 
			 1992 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.037 
			 1991 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.110 
			 1990 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.084 
			 1989 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.032 
			 1988 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.030 
			 1987 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.046 
			 1986 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.085 
			 1985 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.046 
			 1984 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.240 
			 1983 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.110 
			 1982 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.055 
			 1981 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.040 
			 1980 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.211 
			 1979 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.012 
			 1978 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.016 
			 1977 Total Activity (excluding tritium) 0.100 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Liquid radioactive waste discharged during 1994-2008 under agreement with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency 
			  Year  Radioactivity  Discharges in GBq 
			 2008 Alpha 0.000 
			 2008 Beta Activity 0.019 
			 2008 Colbalt-60 0.005 
			 2008 Tritium 72.830 
			 2007 Alpha 0.000 
			 2007 Beta Activity 0.013 
			 2007 Colbalt-60 0.003 
			 2007 Tritium 66.400 
			 2006 Alpha 0.001 
			 2006 Beta Activity 0.006 
			 2006 Colbalt-60 0.003 
			 2006 Tritium 121.000 
			 2005 Alpha 0.002 
			 2005 Beta Activity 0.013 
			 2005 Colbalt-60 0.003 
			 2005 Tritium 115.000 
			 2004 Alpha 0.002 
			 2004 Beta Activity 0.005 
			 2004 Colbalt-60 0.007 
			 2004 Tritium 47.900 
			 2003 Alpha 0.015 
			 2003 Beta Activity 0.003 
			 2003 Colbalt-60 0.008 
			 2003 Tritium 93.700 
			 2002 Alpha 0.002 
			 2002 Beta Activity 0.035 
			 2002 Colbalt-60 0.009 
			 2002 Tritium 78.156 
			 2001 Alpha 0.002 
			 2001 Beta Activity 0.001 
			 2001 Colbalt-60 0.030 
			 2001 Tritium 39.710 
			 2000 Alpha 0.002 
			 2000 Beta Activity 0.008 
			 2000 Colbalt-60 0.010 
			 2000 Tritium 64.000 
			 1999 Alpha 0.002 
			 1999 Beta Activity 0.010 
			 1999 Colbalt-60 0.004 
			 1999 Tritium 69.400 
			 1998 Alpha 0.008 
			 1998 Beta Activity 0.020 
			 1998 Colbalt-60 0.022 
			 1998 Tritium 42.500 
			 1997 Alpha 0.017 
			 1997 Beta Activity 0.008 
			 1997 Colbalt-60 0.055 
			 1997 Tritium 72.800 
			 1996 Alpha 0.018 
			 1996 Beta Activity 0.178 
			 1996 Colbalt-60 0.087 
			 1996 Tritium 198.000 
			 1995 Alpha 0.014 
			 1995 Beta Activity 0.311 
			 1995 Colbalt-60 0.203 
			 1995 Tritium 93.900 
			 1994 Alpha 0.019 
			 1994 Beta Activity 0.115 
			 1994 Colbalt-60 0.064 
			 1994 Tritium 113.000 
			  Note: Figures have been rounded to three decimal places.

RAF St. Athan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether construction work has been started at St. Athan military academy; when the work is expected to be completed; and how much  (a) has been spent and  (b) is planned to be spent on the project in each year of the project.

Bill Rammell: Construction at the St. Athan site is expected to begin shortly after contract award for the Defence Training College, which is anticipated to be signed in the summer of 2010. However, some site clearance and demolition work is expected to take place to prepare the site before contract signature. The construction of the Defence Training College is expected to be completed by 2014.
	Estimated construction costs for the first five years of the contract are provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2010-11 112.5 
			 2011-12 200.7 
			 2012-13 265 
			 2013-14 156.1 
			 2014-15 37.8

Weapons: Lost Property

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weapons of each type have  (a) been stolen and  (b) gone missing from armed forces bases in each year from 1997 to 2004.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1244W, by my hon. Friend the Minister for Veterans (Mr. Touhig) to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell).

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts: Apprentices

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many apprenticeships in the creative industries have been taken up since his Department's publication of its Creative Britain document.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 12 June 2009
	 Since the publication of Creative Britain, 400 apprenticeships have started on frameworks associated with the creative industries. These include the Creative Apprenticeships and the Quality Assurance Games Testing.
	This figure does not include apprentices working in the creative industries on non-creative apprenticeships. The National Apprenticeship Service will be able to calculate this information from September.

Gambling: Internet

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will refer the matter of the establishment of a sports right for online betting operators to the new expert panel on sports betting.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The expert panel on sports betting will be established very soon and I will announce the chair and members shortly. The panel's terms of reference will examine all practical measures to further the overall objective of reducing the risk of corruption in British sport and will include a number of areas that I want them to focus on specifically. It is up to the chair, in discussion with the panel members, to decide on the other areas to examine.
	I have also been clear that the issue of integrity should not necessarily be linked to any proposed sports right. Therefore I have not referred this for the panel's consideration at this stage.

Leisure Facilities: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial assistance his Department has provided for the redevelopment of leisure centres in each local authority area in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sport England has advised that it does not hold information on financial assistance given to individual leisure centres in each local authority area covering the last three years because it does not categorise data in this way. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Local Broadcasting: Radio

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment his Department has made of the  (a) economic viability and  (b) social contribution of local radio.

Si�n Simon: holding answer 12 June 2009
	Following the Interim Digital Britain Report, my Department commissioned an independent review of the localness regime which regulates local content on radio. This review also considered the current economic viability and social contribution of local radio. The report undertaken by John Myers, An Independent Review of the Rules Governing Local Content on Local Radio is available on my Department's website
	www.culture.gov.uk.

Olympic Games 2012: Football

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make an assessment of the likely effect on  (a) women's and  (b) disabled people's football of fielding a football Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

Ben Bradshaw: The fielding of women's and Paralympic GB football teams would provide a unique opportunity to showcase and strengthen the women's and disabled games, from the grass roots through to the elite.
	As the host nation, a women's and a disabled team would automatically qualify. The Government would like to see the best possible teams taking part to provide Team GB with every opportunity to achieve the ambitious medal targets for the Paralympic and Olympic games in 2012, and to provide inspiration to the next generation of those taking part in women's and disabled football.

Sports: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding he plans to provide for sport in Denton and Reddish constituency in 2009-10.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has allocated Sport England 135.7 million of Exchequer funding in 2009-10. Sport England has targets to get one million people doing more sport by 2012-13, and to make a major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer for children and young people. Denton and Reddish constituency will benefit, alongside every area of England, from Exchequer and Lottery investment by Sport England in 2009-10 in support of these targets.
	In addition, Sport England have advised that the following initiatives support participation in sport in Denton and Reddish constituency.
	 ( i ) Free Swimming
	Stockport Metropolitan borough council has signed up to Pot 1 of the free swimming programme, free swimming for the over-60s, and has been awarded 88,472 in this regard.
	Tameside Metropolitan borough council has also signed up to Pot 1 and has been awarded 60,929.
	 (ii) Sport Unlimited
	Sport Unlimited is an integral part of the Government's PE and Sport Strategy for Young People. The overall aim of Sport Unlimited is to increase opportunities for Children and Young People aged five to 19 to participate regularly in sport.
	This project is in its second year (2009-10) of delivery. In Denton and Reddish approximately 8,750 will be put into Sport Unlimited activities during 2009-10.

Sports: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding he plans to provide for sport in Milton Keynes in 2009-10.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has allocated Sport England 135.7 million of Exchequer funding in 2009-10. Sport England has targets to get one million people doing more sport by 2012-13, and to make a major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer for children and young people. Milton Keynes will benefit, alongside every area of England, from Exchequer and Lottery investment by Sport England in 2009-10 in support of these targets.
	In addition Sport England have advised that there are a number of initiatives to support participation in sport in Milton Keynes:
	 (i) Free swimming
	Milton Keynes unitary authority has opted in to the U16 and Over 60 Free Swimming Programme and has received 196,525 (46,740 for pot 1 and 149,785 for pot 2) in this regard. The local authorities that have opted to offer the scheme to both age groups have also received a share of a 10 million capital fund to spend on modernising or improving pool provision. Milton Keynes received 68,116.
	Those local authorities that will offer free swimming to both age groups also stand to benefit from a further 25 million capital challenge fund in both 2008-09 and 2010-11 to spend on improving pool facilities. Milton Keynes has been awarded:
	180,000 towards the modernisation of Middleton Pool;
	60,985 towards the modernisation of Wroughton Leisure Centre; and
	200,000 towards the Stantonbury Campus Pool Modernisation Project.
	 (ii) Sport Unlimited
	Sport Unlimited is an integral part of the Government's PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP). The overall aim of Sport Unlimited is to increase opportunities for Children and Young People aged five to 19 to participate regularly in sport.
	In Milton Keynes, approximately 38,464 is currently assigned this financial year to deliver projects across the city.
	 (iii) Step into Sport
	Step into Sport focuses on young people aged 14 to 19, giving them opportunities to become involved in sports leadership and volunteering and encouraging them to continue this into later life.
	The programme is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as part of the PESSYP strategy, which is revitalising PE and school sport across the country. Step into Sport in Milton Keynes has been awarded 5,500.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Emissions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of an increase in EU carbon reduction targets.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 23 March 2009
	 The levels of the first three carbon budgets, covering 2008-12, 2013-17 and 2018-22, were approved by Parliament in May. These require a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by over 22, 28 and 34 per cent. against 1990 levels respectively. The budgets have been set in line with the independent Committee on Climate Change's advice and with our emissions reduction targets under the EU 2020 Climate and Energy package.
	In the summer, the Government will present a Climate and Energy Strategy to Parliament, which will set out our proposals and policies to meet the carbon budgets, in the context of our overall programme for delivering secure low-carbon energy, transport and housing.
	The EU has committed to a 20 per cent. greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2020, increasing to 30 per cent. by 2020 as part of a comprehensive global deal. The Government will amend the carbon budgets following such a global deal and once proposals on sharing out the new EU target are agreed.

Climate Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to appoint a permanent Director General for National Climate Change and Consumer Support.

Joan Ruddock: Phil Wynn-Owen has been appointed as Director General, National Climate Change and Consumer Support. Phil joined the Department on 15 June 2009.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many notifications his Department made to the Information Commissioner in the year ended 30 April 2009 in respect of the loss or mishandling of personal information or data; what was notified in each such case; and how many individuals were the subjects of personal information or data in respect of which such notifications were made.

Joan Ruddock: Under the mandatory requirements of the Data Handling Report published on 25 June 2008, DECC is required to give a summary report on data breaches reported to the Information Commissioner in our annual resource accounts.
	We will be publishing information on personal data security breaches reported to the Information Commissioner for the 2008-09 reporting year before Parliament rises in July. The information is currently being compiled and is to be audited and verified before it is laid before Parliament.

Departmental Manpower

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 628W, on departmental personnel, how many Civil Service fast streamers are in post in his Department.

Joan Ruddock: DECC was formed from the Climate Change Directorates from DEFRA and the Energy Group from what was then BERR, now BIS. DECC inherited 17 Fast streamers from BERR and 30 from DEFRA. The total number of fast streamers currently working in DECC is 47.

Fuel Poverty

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect of the application of the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008 on levels of fuel poverty.

Joan Ruddock: The Government are committed to tackling fuel poverty, and have spent 20 billion on fuel poverty benefits and programmes since 2000. The fuel poverty implications of the Climate Change Act will depend on the specific policies to deliver the carbon budgets and to mitigate fuel poverty. In the summer, the Government will lay a report before Parliament on a package of policies and proposals for meeting the first three carbon budgets, as part of an Energy and Climate Change Strategy. This will include an assessment of the overall impact of the package on fuel poverty. An initial estimate of the possible impact was contained in the first report of the Committee on Climate Change, published on 1 December 2008, and the Government's Impact Assessment of the EU Climate and Energy Package and proposed carbon budget levels, published on 22 April 2009.

Fuel Poverty: North West

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1481W, on fuel poverty, what the reasons are for the relatively high number of fuel poor households in the North West; and whether his Department has any region-specific programmes in place to rectify the situation.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 11 June 2009
	In 2006, the latest year for which fuel poverty estimates are available, 14.2 per cent. of households in the north-west were fuel poor. In England as a whole, in the same period, 11.5 per cent. of all households were fuel poor. Table 1 refers.
	
		
			  Table 1: Fuel Poverty figures ,  2006, by Government office region 
			  Government office region  Percentage of fuel poor households in region  Number of fuel poor households in region (thousand) 
			 North East 16.4 179 
			 North West 14.2 415 
			 West Midlands 13.7 304 
			 East Midlands 12.9 236 
			 Yorks and Humber 12.7 273 
			 South West 11.6 256 
			 East England 9.7 224 
			 South East 8.5 291 
			 London 8.3 254 
			 England 11.5 2,432 
		
	
	Fuel poverty is caused by the interaction of three things: income, fuel prices and energy efficiency. Therefore, households with low income or very high energy bills are more prone to being fuel poor. In 2006, average household income for households in the north-west was below that of England as a whole, while the average energy efficiency rating, as measured by SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) was similar to that for England overall.
	The combination of national programmes such as Warm Front, Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and Decent Homes and local programmes and delivery through local government, partnerships, energy suppliers, Eaga and NEA (such as Warm Zones and the Central Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) are all important in tackling fuel poverty across England. Government do not direct programmes to specific areas but the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) programme to be launched this autumn is proposed to take place in areas of the lowest income decile as measured in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

Lighting: East of England

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much funding his Department has allocated to the encouragement of usage of light emitting diode variety light bulbs in  (a) Mid Bedfordshire constituency and  (b) the East of England since it was established; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The Government have not allocated funding specifically to the east of England to encourage the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, we recognise the potential that LED lighting can offer and the Energy Saving Trust is funding a number of trials in social housing communal areas, of which one is in Suffolk. Businesses are also encouraged to invest in efficient lighting solutions, including LEDs where appropriate, through the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme. In addition, the Government are working with NHS trusts through the Forward Commitment process to challenge the industry to develop lighting efficiency.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, dated 28 April 2009, on an emissions performance standard for power generation.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 12 June 2009
	 I apologise for the delay in responding and will do so shortly.

Olympic Games 2012

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many full-time equivalent members of staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its associated public bodies are working on projects relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; how many of them are working on (i) project management, (ii) legacy planning, (iii) project oversight and (iv) financial oversight; and what plans he has for future staffing levels in each case.

Joan Ruddock: The Department of Energy and Climate change is not directly involved in the management of any Olympics projects but the Department and its advisers take part in discussions with the relevant authorities on a range of issues involving the supply of energy and materials for the site and the games.

Renewable Energy: Housing

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what financial incentives his Department provides to encourage the  (a) construction and  (b) adaptation of homes to incorporate (i) renewable energy technologies and (ii) sustainable building materials.

Joan Ruddock: The Government play an important role in providing incentives to increase take-up of small scale renewable on-site energy technologies. These technologies have a key role to play in meeting our 2020 renewable targets, and will be essential in achieving our legally binding 2050 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent. Presently, the main sources of financial support for these technologies come from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).
	The LCBP is an 86 million capital grant programme supporting households, communities and the public sector to install small scale onsite energy technologies. A further 45 million was allocated to the programme in Budget 2009, bringing total funding to 131 million. The programme aims to demonstrate how energy efficiency and onsite energy technologies can be combined in a range of buildings to reduce carbon emissions.
	To incentivise the installation of microgeneration under CERT, the scheme provides suppliers with a ring-fenced market transformation option which allows them to achieve up to 12 per cent. of their overall CERT target by promoting measures for which there is not yet a developed market. To further incentivise microgeneration, suppliers may increase this market transformation ring-fence by a further 2 per cent. by promoting microgeneration measures; suppliers receive a 50 per cent. uplift in their carbon score within the ring-fence for this.
	The LCBP and CERT have made an important contribution to developing a market for low-carbon small-scale generation in the UK. However, we fully acknowledge that we need to go much further if we are to meet our long-term goals. That is why we included powers in the Energy Act 2008 to introduce feed-in tariffs (FITs) for small-scale low-carbon electricity generation (up to a maximum limit of 5 megawatt capacity) through changes to electricity distribution and supply licences. We are currently working to develop recommendations on the design of the mechanism, including the tariff levels and the period during which they will apply, the detail of which we will consult on this summer. We have committed to have feed-in tariffs in place in April 2010.
	Powers in the Energy Act also enable a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to be set up. The powers allow the RHI to provide financial assistance to generators of renewable heat, and producers of renewable biogas and biomethane. The incentive payments will be funded by a levy on suppliers of fossil fuels for heat. Our aim is to make the RHI as accessible, flexible and user-friendly as possible to potential investors in renewable heat at all scales, from domestic to industrial. We are currently working to develop the main features of the RHI scheme, which we will consult on towards the end of this year, and aim to have the RHI in place by April 2011.
	In terms of renewable building materials, we provide funding and support for research and dissemination of technology development and information. This Department has part-funded the Renewable House at the Building Research Establishment in Watford which showcases renewable construction technologies on a domestic scale.
	The Government also encourage the use of sustainable materials through tightening of Building Regulations. Significantly, we have made a commitment that all new homes must be zero carbon from 2016. To support this ambition the Government launched the Code for Sustainable Homes, which rates a home on a 'whole house' basis with a one to six star rating. The code scores new properties against nine categories, which, in addition to use of sustainable materials, include energy, water, waste and ecology.
	The code is voluntary for private sector builders, however. If Government are funding the development, or if the development is being built on Government land code level 3 must be attained. Homes built to this standard must have a 25 per cent. improvement in energy efficiency over current Building Regulations, which may require the inclusion of renewable energy generation, and will include the use of materials with a lower environmental impact.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Balkans: Poverty

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the extent of poverty in  (a) Kosovo and  (b) other Balkan countries; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The World Bank's October 2007 Kosovo Poverty Assessment Report estimated that approximately 45 per cent. of the population in Kosovo live below the national poverty line, and 15 per cent. of the population is considered extremely poor. A further 18 per cent. are seen as vulnerable to poverty.
	Kosovo is the poorest region in the Balkans. The Department for International Development (DFID) also works in Bosnia and Herzegovina where 18.2 per cent. of the population is reported as living in relative poverty (World Bank, 2007), and in Serbia where the official government poverty figures for 2006 stood at 8.8 per cent.

Demos

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) private meetings and  (b) public engagements Ministers in his Department have attended at which representatives from the think-tank Demos were present in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: In the past 12 months, the Minister of State for International Development (Mr. Thomas) had one meeting with Demos on 12 May 2009 on joint departmental business with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. No other DFID Ministers have held private meetings with Demos.
	It is not possible to provide details of public engagements attended by DFID Ministers at which Demos representatives were present without incurring disproportionate costs.

Demos

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has any contracts with the think-tank Demos.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have any contracts with Demos.

Departmental Press

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) newspapers and  (b) periodicals are delivered to the private office of each Minister in his Department; and at what cost in the latest period for which figures are available.

Michael Foster: The following newspapers and periodicals were delivered to the private offices of the Department for International Development's four Ministers in May 2009:
	 Daily Express (one copy)
	 Daily Mail (three copies)
	 Daily Mirror (one copy)
	 Daily Telegraph (three copies)
	 Financial Times (four copies)
	 Glasgow Herald (one copy)
	 The Scotsman (one copy)
	 The Guardian (four copies)
	 The Independent (two copies)
	 The Sun (one copy)
	 The Times (three copies)
	 The Economist (four copies)
	 Spectator (one copy)
	 Foreign Affairs (one copy)
	 Private Eye (one copy)
	 Evening Standard (one copy)
	The total cost for this period was 567.74.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the World Bank's health, nutrition and population support for poor people in developing countries from 1997 to 2008;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the World Bank's health programmes in developing countries between 1997 and 2008.

Michael Foster: The World Bank's role in health, nutrition and population between 1997 and 2007 was recently evaluated by the Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) whose report was published in April. The evaluation provided a self critical look at World Bank support to health and we agreed with its key findings that Bank health programmes had achieved mixed results. The Department for International Development (DFID) has not undertaken a separate assessment.
	The Bank is committed to improving its performance in health, nutrition and population. The Bank's Health, Nutrition and Population Strategy published in 2007 sets a strong direction and is already helping to address several of the weaknesses identified by the IEG's evaluation.

Kosovo: HIV Infection

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the prevalence of  (a) HIV/AIDS and  (b) tuberculosis in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: HIV prevalence is very low in Kosovo. The National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo (NIPH) stated that there were 67 HIV positive people in 2006. However, with a very young population, high unemployment and increases in drug use, Kosovo presents an environment where HIV infection could increase rapidly.
	The tuberculosis notification rate in Kosovo remains high compared to other Balkans countries but the trend has been downwards. Although there was a slight rise in 2005 to 52 cases per 100,000 people, the number of new cases in that year was half the number reported in 2001.

Kosovo: Infant Mortality

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of  (a) infant and  (b) maternal mortality rates in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: Health statistics in Kosovo are not reliable. Nevertheless, the figures available for Kosovo point to health indicators among the worst in Europe, despite the positive downward trend since 2000.
	The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) quotes the infant mortality rate for Kosovo as between 35 and 49 per 1,000 live births. For maternal mortality, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reported a rate of 6.9 per 100,000 births in 2005.

Kosovo: National Income

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his latest estimate is of Kosovo's  (a) gross national income and  (b) average earnings per head of population; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: Kosovo's statistical systems remain in an early stage of development and all data are therefore subject to high degree of uncertainty. Estimates for gross national income and average earnings per head are not available. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that in 2007 Kosovo's gross national disposable income per capita was 1,845. This is projected to increase to 2,053 per capita in 2009, though may have to be adjusted depending on the impact of the global economic crisis. The gross domestic product per capita was listed as 1,611 for 2007 and 1,837 for 2009.

Kosovo: Unemployment

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of levels of unemployment in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The Statistical Office of Kosovo (SOK) lists the 2005 total unemployment rate as 41.4 per cent., with 83.7 per cent. of those considered to be long-term unemployed. The unemployment rate for women is 60.5 per cent. However, Kosovo's statistical systems remain in an early stage of development and therefore data are subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The Department for International Development (DFID) has supported the Statistics Office of Kosovo to develop a National Statistics Development Strategy which is now being implemented.

South Ossetia: Overseas aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in South Ossetia; and what plans his Department has for the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Ossetia.

Michael Foster: A Department for International Development (DFID) monitoring mission in February 2009 reported that the humanitarian situation in South Ossetia appeared to have stabilised and that the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Georgia were living in more acceptable humanitarian conditions. However, with the exception of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), humanitarian organisations are still hampered in their ability to access conflict-affected areas despite assurances that unfettered access would be granted.
	DFID has so far provided 4 million to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of the region and is continuing to monitor the situation. We are also supporting UK conflict prevention activities through a regional Conflict Prevention Pool which is jointly managed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Sri Lanka: Overseas Aid

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what humanitarian aid  (a) his Department,  (b) the EU and  (c) the UN has delivered to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Over the last 12 months the Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated 12.5 million of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. Of this approximately 6 million remains to respond rapidly to further needs on the ground and for early recovery when the displaced population are able to return home. All of DFID's humanitarian funding to Sri Lanka is channelled through impartial humanitarian agencies.
	 (b) For 2009 the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has pledged US$ 3.952 million for humanitarian aid for victims of conflict in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
	 (c) The UN has received contributions of US $155,122,669 for the UN Consolidated Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) 2009 for Sri Lanka. This includes contributions for both UN and non-governmental organisations.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Connexions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many referrals from Jobcentre Plus to Connexions services were made  (a) in the 2007-08 academic year and  (b) in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many referrals from Jobcentre Plus to Connexions services were made (a) in the 2007-08 academic year and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus does not record information about the number of customers it refers to Connexions. Jobcentre Plus refers young people to Connexions where it is appropriate, for example, most 16 and 17 year olds claiming a Jobcentre Plus benefit are required to register and attend at Connexions as a condition of their claim.
	All other referrals between Jobcentre Plus and Connexions are made on a more informal and voluntary basis where a Jobcentre Plus adviser believes that Connexions are better placed to provide the help required.

Departmental Pay

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff employed in London on work contracted out by her Department earn less than 7.45 per hour.

Jim Knight: The number of staff employed in London on work contracted out by the Department for Work and Pensions who earn less than the London living wage of 7.45 is 673.

Departmental Responsibilities

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what expenditure her Department has incurred in the provision of programme centres, excluding expenditure on New Deal programmes, in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: Expenditure incurred in the provision of programme centres excluding expenditure on New Deal programmes in each of the last 10 years is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Total programme centre spend (  million) 
			 1999-2000 30.8 
			 2000-01 29.9 
			 2001-02 18.6 
			 2002-03 16.1 
			 2003-04 19.4 
			 2004-05 21.4 
			 2005-06 14.0 
			 2006-07 8.4 
			 2007-08 9.6 
			 2008-09 12.3

Departmental Responsibilities

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the budget for programme centre provision was in 2008-09; and what budget has been set for  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11 and  (c) 2011-12.

Jim Knight: The budget for programme centre provision for 2008-09 was 16.7 million and the estimated expenditure, pending audit was 12.3 million.
	The total budget for programme centre provision in 2009-10 is 23.7 million. This figure includes the budget of 13 million for new provision for newly unemployed (non-professional) support delivered by programme centres.
	Budgets for years from 2010-11 onwards have not yet been set.

Disability Living Allowance

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) England,  (b) Scotland,  (c) Wales and  (d) Northern Ireland are claiming disability living allowance; and at what estimated cost in 2009-10.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information regarding Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Office.
	The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Disability living allowance: cases in payment, November 2008, and estimated cost in 2009-10 
			  Country  Disability living allowance, cases in payment, November 2008 ( T housand)  Estimat ed cost in 2009-10 cash prices,  ( billion) 
			 England 2,451 9.2 
			 Scotland 329 1.3 
			 Wales 237 0.9 
			  Notes: 1. Cases in payment are caseload totals. These show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. The latest available data is presented here. 2. Expenditure is forecast for Great Britain only and not for individual countries. Estimated costs have been derived by applying estimated country shares to forecast Great Britain spending in 2009-10. Forecast Great Britain spending is at Budget 2009. Estimated out-turn country shares for 2008-09 are the average of country shares of spending at August and November 2008.  Sources: 1. Cases in Payment: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 2. Estimated Cost: Budget 2009 expenditure forecast distributed across countries in line with estimated out-turn for 2008-09, using statistical estimates for August and November 2008.

Employment Schemes

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans she has had to review the scheme for providing businesses with recruitment subsidy via Jobcentre Plus.

Jim Knight: The Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned by DWP to undertake an independent evaluation of the entire six month offer of extra support for jobseekers, of which the recruitment subsidy is one element. Findings will inform understanding of the operation and effectiveness of the recruitment subsidy. The first published report from the evaluation will be available in December 2009.
	As we do for all our initiatives, the Department will continue to monitor the recruitment subsidy and in light of this, and information emerging from the evaluation, will make any necessary adjustments to the recruitment subsidy.

Employment Schemes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have applied for a work trial placement in each of the last six months.

Jim Knight: Information on the number of people who have applied for a work trial in each of the last six months is not available. This is because customers do not, in the commonly accepted sense, 'apply' for a work trial. A work trial may be arranged by Jobcentre Plus if, at the end of the normal recruitment process for a current vacancy, either the employer or customer (or both) has any lingering doubts about suitability.
	Information on the number of work-trial starts in each of the last six months is available and is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of work trial starts in each of the last six months 
			  Month  Number of starts 
			 December 2008 1,961 
			 January 2009 2,057 
			 February 2009 2,572 
			 March 2009 3,077 
			 April 2009 2,366 
			 May 2009 3,580 
			  Source: BOXI Management Information

Employment Services

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Jobcentre Plus Support contracts will replace  (a) new provision for newly unemployed (non-professional) support delivered by programme centres and  (b) support for newly unemployed professional and executive customers.

Jim Knight: The Jobcentre Plus Support Contract is planned to commence in December 2009. It will replace the new provision for newly unemployed customers (non professionals). Support arranged for newly unemployed professionals will not be affected by this change. Approximately 15-20 per cent. of the overall budget for the period December 2009 to March 2010 for support contracts is expected to be spent on support for the newly unemployed.

Employment Services

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of the Jobcentre Plus support contracts in each of the next three years.

Jim Knight: Current estimates are shown in the following table:
	
		
			million 
			 2009-10 8 
			 2010-11 24 
			 2011-12 12 
		
	
	These figures are based on assessments made prior to the 2009 Budget. The Jobcentre Plus support contract is currently half way through a two stage procurement process. Detail on the breakdown of funding was set out in the Pre Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) information. Funding levels can be adjusted by DWP to reflect increased or decreased volumes.

Employment Services: Finance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what budget her Department has allocated for  (a) new provision for newly unemployed (non-professional) support delivered by programme centres and  (b) support for newly unemployed professional and executive customers in 2009-10.

Jim Knight: The total budget allocated for  (a) new provision for newly unemployed (non-professional) support delivered by programme centres and  (b) support for newly unemployed professional and executive customers in 2009-10 is 17.0 million (13.0 million for contracted one-day seminars and 4 million for Jobcentre Plus Group information sessions and follow-up interviews) and 3.0 million respectively. From December 2009 provision for newly unemployed (non-professional) support will be delivered via the new Jobcentre Plus support contracts and therefore a proportion of this budget will be used to fund the new contracts from this date.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many actions under employment law have been brought against her Department in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each category of action; and how many such actions were contested by her Department at an employment tribunal.

Jim Knight: Our records show the following actions under employment law in the Employment Tribunal brought against the Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) in England, Wales and Scotland in each of the last three years:
	 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007
	252 cases in total, of which:
	78 were settled
	112 were withdrawn by the Claimant or dismissed by the Tribunal
	17 were won by the Department at hearing
	5 were lost (i.e. findings against the Department) at hearing
	28 were struck out
	1 where advice was given
	5 are ongoing; and
	6 outcomes which are unknown/unrecorded
	 1 April 2007  to 31 March 2008
	295 cases in total of which:
	90 were settled
	106 were withdrawn by the claimants or dismissed by the Tribunal
	23 were won by the Department at hearing
	3 were lost (i.e. findings against the Department)
	23 were struck out
	1 multiple claims was part won/part lost;
	49 claims are ongoing
	 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009
	255 cases in total of which:
	35 were settled
	45 were withdrawn by the Claimant or dismissed by the Tribunal
	11 were won by the Department at hearing
	6 were lost (i.e. findings against the Department)
	8 were struck out
	1 in which advice was given; and
	149 claims are still ongoing
	Tables 1, 2 and 3 show the breakdown of the claims against the Department during the requested reporting period by category. Where an action involved more than one type of claim (for example, unfair dismissal and discrimination) this has been recorded as a multiple claim.
	
		
			  Table 1: Employment tribunal claims against DWP for period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 
			   Claims 
			 Age Discrimination  
			 Breach of contract 1 
			 Bullying and Harassment 1 
			 Change of working hours  
			 Constructive dismissal 10 
			 Disability Discrimination 91 
			 Dismissal 1 
			 Equal Pay 1 
			 Flexible working 1 
			 Grievance  
			 Health and Safety 1 
			 Part time workersless favourable treatment 1 
			 Protected disclosure 1 
			 Race Discrimination 5 
			 Redundancy  
			 Religion or beliefdiscrimination 1 
			 Right to be accompanied 2 
			 Sex Discrimination 9 
			 Sexual Orientationdiscrimination 2 
			 Trade Union activities 3 
			 Unfair dismissal 50 
			 Unauthorised deductions from wages 2 
			 Unpaid wages  
			 Victimisation  
			 Working Time Regulations/Holiday Pay 1 
			 Wrongful dismissal  
			 Unrecorded 6 
			   
			 Multiple claims 62 
			 Total 252 
		
	
	
		
			  Table2: Employment Tribunal claims against DWP for period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 
			   Claims 
			  Single Claim  
			 Age Discrimination 22 
			 Breach of contract  
			 Constructive dismissal 3 
			 Disability Discrimination 110 
			 Dismissal  
			 Equal Pay 4 
			 Flexible working  
			 Health and Safety 1 
			 Misconduct  
			 Part time workersless favourable treatment 2 
			 Protected disclosure  
			 Race Discrimination 6 
			 Redundancy 0 
			 Religion or beliefdiscrimination 0 
			 Right to be accompanied  
			 Sex Discrimination 13 
			 Sexual Orientationdiscrimination 1 
			 Trade Union activities 5 
			 Unfair dismissal 33 
			 Unauthorised deductions from wages 4 
			 Unpaid wages  
			 Victimisation 3 
			 Working Time Regulations/Holiday Pay  
			 Wrongful dismissal  
			 Unrecorded  
			 Time of work 4 
			 Unlawful requirement to make payment to employer 3 
			   
			  Multiple claims 81 
			 Total 295 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Employment Tribunal claims against DWP for period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 
			   Claims 
			  Single claims  
			 Age Discrimination 8 
			 Breach of contract 1 
			 Constructive dismissal 4 
			 Disability Discrimination 64 
			 Equal Pay  
			 Flexible working 1 
			 Health and Safety  
			 Part time workersless favourable treatment  
			 Protected disclosure 1 
			 Race Discrimination 7 
			 Redundancy 1 
			 Religion or beliefdiscrimination 2 
			 Right to be accompanied  
			 Sex Discrimination 12 
			 Sexual Orientationdiscrimination  
			 Trade Union activities 5 
			 Unfair dismissal 47 
			 Unauthorised deductions from wages 18 
			 Unpaid wages 1 
			 Victimisation  
			 Working Time Regulations/Holiday Pay 1 
			 Wrongful dismissal  
			 Unrecorded 2 
			   
			  Multiple claims 80 
			 Total 255

Jobcentre Plus

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost of a course delivered at a Jobcentre Plus programme centre is.

Jim Knight: Programme centre contract prices for 2009-10 are 328 per successful outcome (between 347 and 386 in London). Of this, 70 per cent. is paid up front when a customer starts and the remaining 30 per cent. is paid only if the customer is placed into employment. On average, the anticipated costs are around 254 per person (between 269 and 299 in London).

Jobcentre Plus: Plymouth

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of the capacity of Plymouth Jobcentre Plus office to meet the demand for its services;
	(2)  what the average waiting time for applicants for assistance to Plymouth Jobcentre Plus office  (a) to be processed and  (b) to receive benefit was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking what recent assessment she has made of the capacity of Plymouth Jobcentre Plus office to meet the current demands for its services; and what the waiting time for applicants for assistance to Plymouth Jobcentre Plus office (a) to be processed and (b) to receive benefit is. These are issues which fall within my responsibilities as the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I can confirm that we have been reviewing our resource and estates to meet customer demand for our services in the Plymouth area since January 2009. This review includes looking at the capacity of the Plymouth and Devonport Jobcentres to expand customer facing services. Full site visits were carried out at both locations on 6 May to finalise plans to free up space for additional workstations and hold group information sessions.
	In addition, we are also looking into using other government departments premises to house some of our work. For example Land Registry premises are being considered nationally to accommodate some of our back of house functions. The site at Crownhill in Plymouth offers us potential for up to 400 seats. The proposed work to be relocated to this site includes the Fraud Investigation Service, Security Advisers, Learning and Development and Local Employment Partnerships work. Use of these alternative premises will free up floor space in both Jobcentres to expand customer-facing services in both Plymouth and Devonport.
	We are using a number of partners' premises to conduct a range of customer-facing activity. For example, Picquet Barracks in Devonport is going to be used to support the forthcoming Princess Yachts redundancies. New claims and some review meetings will take place in this location for Princess Yacht customers and these premises will be available in the short term for any other redundancies.
	We have also reviewed the staffing levels in Plymouth, and have recently recruited eight new members of staff for Plymouth Jobcentre and 12 for Devonport at administration level. These new staff will be involved in conducting new claims interviews for Jobseeker's Allowance customers and subsequent fortnightly jobsearch reviews. An additional recruitment exercise is underway to recruit advisers to conduct Work Focussed Interviews and periodic reviews for customers, plus additional administrative support.
	In addition we have recruited additional staff at the Plymouth Benefit Delivery Centre to handle telephone calls from customers enquiring about their benefit.
	Customers contacting us to make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance are currently waiting between three and five days from their initial contact to see an adviser for their New Claims Interview at Plymouth Jobcentre and two days at Devonport Jobcentre. Unfortunately waiting times for an appointment in Plymouth Jobcentre have risen higher than we would like due to several local large scale redundancies. However we are working additional hours during weekends to undertake new claims interviews to reduce waiting times for customers.
	Claims for customers living in the Plymouth area are processed at the Benefit Delivery Centre located at Old Tree Court in Plymouth. The table below shows the current average time taken in April 2009 to process and pay benefit due on claims dealt with at our Plymouth Benefit Delivery Centre.
	
		
			  Days 
			  Benefit type  Target clearance time  Actual clearance time in April 2009 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance 11.5 10.62 
			 Employment and Support Allowance 21 11.31 
			 Income Support 10 9.37 
		
	
	Staff at the Benefit Delivery Centre are also working overtime at the weekends to maximise claims clearance times.
	We are confident that the plans we have made to expand our resource and estates in Plymouth will meet the needs of our customers. We will be continuously monitoring and reviewing our services to ensure we maintain the highest standards of customer service.

Jobcentre Plus: Standards

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps Jobcentre Plus has taken to manage an increase in the number of people claiming benefits.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps Jobcentre Plus has taken to manage an increase in the number of people claiming benefits. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The Government's continuing investment in Jobcentre Plus means that it is well placed to handle the impact of the current economic conditions and deal effectively with the increase in the number of people claiming benefits. The Department also regularly reviews the capacity and capability of Jobcentre Plus to effectively deliver the full range of services for which it is responsible.
	Jobcentre Plus has already implemented a number of measures to increase its workforce, maximise the use of estate and streamline business processes. It will continue this approach during 2009/10 as Jobcentre Plus continues to recruit the additional staff funded through the Budget settlement. All of this work means that Jobcentre Plus is in a strong position to maintain customer service levels and deliver the services the newly unemployed need.
	I am pleased to report that, despite the very large increases in the number of people seeking assistance from Jobcentre Plus over recent months, in 2008/09 new claims for Jobseeker's Allowance were cleared in an average of just over 10 days. This is ahead of the target of 11.5 days. It is also currently seeing around 80% of people within three days from the date of their claim to talk about help in finding work.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lincolnshire

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants resident in  (a) Great Grimsby and  (b) Cleethorpes received JSA was in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated June 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for what average length of time jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants resident in  (a) Great Grimsby and  (b) Cleethorpes received JSA in each of the last five years.
	(279270)
	Data on the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) is taken from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. The length of a claim has been calculated, as the time between the start of an individual's claim and that claim ending, for completed claims only. Table 1 shows the median length of completed claims ('off-flows') during the April count period in each of the last 5 years.
	
		
			  Table 1. Median length of completed cl aims (off-flows) of Jobseeker's  a llowance for claimants resident in Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes parliamentary constituencies 
			  Months 
			  April each year  Great Grimsby  Cleethorpes 
			 2005 9.2 8.0 
			 2006 11.5 10.9 
			 2007 10.4 10.2 
			 2008 11.3 9.2 
			 2009 10.4 10.8 
			  Source:  Jobcentre Plus administrative system

National Insurance: Greater London

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new national insurance numbers excluding those generated automatically at the age of 16 have been issued to residents of the London Borough of  (a) Newham,  (b) Tower Hamlets,  (c) Waltham Forest,  (d) Hackney,  (e) Barking and Dagenham and  (f) Greenwich in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The available information is in the following table.
	The national insurance number statistics show the total number of NINOs allocatednot the number of migrants living in the UK. We know that many people come to work for a short period then returnthe statistics do not distinguish between transient/short term working and longer-term workers.
	
		
			  National insurance number registrations issued to adult overseas nationals entering the UK 
			  Thousand 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Hackney 5.47 7.65 7.46 8.53 
			 Newham 10.45 14.87 15.67 20.51 
			 Tower Hamlets 7.28 10.46 11.57 13.21 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2.53 3.16 3.08 4.29 
			 Greenwich 3.64 5.69 5.69 6.53 
			 Waltham Forest 7.01 9.9 9.46 12.67 
			 UK total 435.35 663.06 705.84 733.09 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and displayed in thousands. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. 2. Registration date is derived from the date at which a national insurance number (NINO) is maintained on the National Insurance Recording System. 3. Totals do not include adult UK nationals issued with NINOs. 4. Geographical counts are based on the most recently recorded address of the NINO recipient.  Source: 100 per cent. extract from National Insurance Recording System. 
		
	
	Improvements have been made to the allocation of migrants whose residential address is incomplete. Figures reflect the best estimate of an overseas national's locality at the time of registering for a NINO.
	The latest year that full data are available is 2007-08. In the six months April to September 2008, 342,800 NINO registrations were issued to adult overseas nationals, broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Registrations 
			 Hackney 4,350 
			 Newham 10,680 
			 Tower Hamlets 6,470 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,350 
			 Greenwich 3,160 
			 Waltham Forest 6,340

New Deal Schemes

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals have been on the  (a) new deal 25 plus,  (b) new deal 50 plus,  (c) new deal for partners,  (d) new deal for disabled people,  (e) new deal for young people,  (f) new deal for lone parents and  (g) new deal for musicians programmes more than once in a year by region since their inception.

Jim Knight: The available information has been placed in the Library.
	New deal for musicians is an integral part of new deal for young people and new deal 25+ and as such is not recorded separately.
	Information for new deal 50+ and new deal for partners is temporarily unavailable while a potential problem with these breakdowns is investigated.

New Deal Schemes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a cap may be placed on referrals to  (a) New Deal for Young People,  (b) New Deal 25 plus,  (c) Employment Zones,  (d) New Deal for Disabled People,  (e) New Deal for Lone Parents and  (f) other New Deal programmes as a result of (i) capacity and (ii) budgetary constraints.

Jim Knight: From 6 April Jobcentre Plus started delivering the enhanced Jobseekers Regime in the 28 Jobcentre Plus districts in Phase 1. In July 2008, the existing New Deal (including Private Sector Led) and Employment Zone (incorporating new deal for lone parents) providers were notified that their contracts would end in April 2009, with the Flexible New Deal providers due to start delivering tailored support to customers from October 2009.
	Following consultation with the existing providers (in December 2008), smoother transitional arrangements between April and October 2009 were agreed involving additional referrals to existing New Deal and Employment Zone providers being maintained until June 2009, with those services being continued alongside the enhanced Jobseekers Regime. The number of additional referrals was agreed with providers at a level that will enable customers to complete their provision and be returned to Jobcentre Plus on a phased basis by the end of September 2009.
	New Deal and Employment Zone referrals in Phase 2 areas will continue as normal and will not be capped as a result of capacity or budgetary constraints. New deal for disabled people is not affected by these arrangements.
	Jobseekers in all areas also have access to the recently introduced extra help for the newly unemployed and an expanded range of work and training options to provide jobs through recruitment subsidies, support to start a business, work-related training and volunteering opportunities.
	In his Budget 2009 Report the Chancellor announced an additional 1.7 billion for the Department for Work and Pensions to deal with the increased workload and associated pressures on Jobcentre Plus and employment programme providers resulting from changes in the economy. This is in addition to the 1.3 billion announced at the pre-Budget report.

New Deal Schemes

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding her Department has allocated from  (a) the 1.7 billion funding allocation announced in the Budget 2009 and  (b) the 1.3 billion announced in the pre-Budget report in November 2008 to Flexible New Deal; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 1 June 2009
	The Budget 2009 announced additional funding for the long-term unemployed of 620 million in addition to 350 million that had been announced at the pre-Budget report. Most of the provision for long-term unemployed people will be provided through the Flexible New Deal over the next two years, although phased implementation means that there will still be some expenditure on New Deal and Employment Zones programmes over the next two years.

Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 483W, on welfare state: EU enlargement, when she expects the report on the review of EEA nationals' access to benefits to be published.

Jim Knight: The main findings of the review were that there were robust rules already in place on EEA nationals' access to the benefit system but that a stronger test of employment prospects should be applied to EEA nationals claiming income based jobseeker's allowance, and that the Department's ability to monitor claims to benefit from EEA nationals should be improved. There are complex issues related to EU law to be considered before decisions can be reached on the way forward.

Social Security Benefits: Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the average bridging payment to be paid to claimants of each type of benefit moving to fortnightly benefit payments in arrears under the provisions of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment (No.2)) Regulations 2008 and the Social Security (Transitional Payments) Regulations 2008;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the average benefit payment made to claimants of each type of benefit who will move to fortnightly benefit payments in arrears under the provisions of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment (No.2)) Regulations 2008 and the Social Security (Transitional Payments) Regulations 2008.

Jim Knight: We have not made an estimate of the average amount of bridging payment as payments will be made at a rate equivalent to 100 per cent. of the customer's actual weekly benefit.
	Information about the average benefit payment made to claimants of each type of benefit, who will move to fortnightly benefit payments in arrears, is not available.

Train to Gain Programme: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the North East are taking part in the Train to Gain programme.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	Table 1 shows the number of people starting a Train to Gain programme by local authority, between 2005-06 and 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 1: Train to Gain Starts in the North East 
			  Local Authority  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Darlington 100 500 700 
			 Durham 1,000 3,400 4,200 
			 Gateshead 300 1,200 1,700 
			 Hartlepool 100 500 700 
			 Middlesbrough 200 900 1,100 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 200 1,300 1,700 
			 North Tyneside 200 1,100 1,400 
			 Northumberland 300 1,500 2,000 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 200 1,000 1,200 
			 South Tyneside 300 1,000 1,200 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 200 1,000 1,300 
			 Sunderland 400 1,800 2,600 
			 Total 3,500 15,200 19,800 
			  Notes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest 100 . Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2. This table uses programme starts as a measure for comparative purposes. Full-year numbers are a count of the number of starts at any point during the year. Learners starting more than one course will appear more than once. 3. Area is based on learner's home postcode.  Source:  WBL, ILR, NES

Work Trials

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many individuals in each region have been on the Work Trial programme more than once since its inception;
	(2)  how many individuals in each region took part in the Work Trial programme  (a) in each year since its inception and  (b) in each of the last eight quarters.

Jim Knight: The information is not collated centrally.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Cotswolds Conservation Board

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons the  (a) Cotswolds Conservation Board and  (b) Chilterns Conservation Board is not on the list of statutory consultees for national planning policy statements.

Ian Austin: Areas of Outstanding Natural BeautyAONBConservation Boards are included within the list of statutory consultees for National Policy Statements. The Cotswolds and Chilterns Conservation Boards, by virtue of being such organisations, are thereby included. The full list is set out within Statutory Instrument No. 2009/1302 which comes into force on 22 June 2009.

Council Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn, Hatfield of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1104W, on council housing, if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the 98 written responses.

Ian Austin: Yes. Copies of the responses to the recent consultation on changes to the revenue and capital rules for council housing, will be placed in the Library when we have considered the responses and made final decisions on the exclusions process and criteria.

Council Housing: Finance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities may apply for National Affordable Housing Programme grant funding to build local authority housing.

Ian Austin: We have made 100 million available in the Budget for local authorities to build social housing. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will accept local authority bids under this programme until the bidding has been concluded and the funding allocated after the July and October bidding rounds. Thereafter, local authorities may bid for grant from the main National Affordable Housing Programme.

Council Tax: Statistics

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 29 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1340W, on statistics: council tax, for what reasons his Department has not responded to the UK Statistics Authority's notification of 6 January 2009 that it wished to assess and determine whether the Code of Practice for Official Statistics had been complied with in respect of statistics on council tax levels set by local authorities.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Following receipt of the UK Statistics Authority's letter, my officials met the authority and agreed that no response to the letter was necessary until my Department has decided whether or not to seek designation. It was agreed that this decision would be taken later in the year.

Homes and Communities Agency: Internet

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much was spent on the establishment of websites for the  (a) Homes and Communities Agency and  (b) Tenant Services Authority;
	(2)  how many  (a) unique visitors and  (b) page impressions were registered on the (i) Homes and Communities Agency and (ii) the Tenant Services Authority website in each month since its creation.

John Healey: The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) spent 47,219 on the establishment of its website.
	The number of unique visitors and page impressions registered are listed as follows:
	
		
			  HCA website usage stats 
			   Unique visitors  Page views/impressions 
			 December 2008 19,721 190,408 
			 January 2009 26,165 231,076 
			 February 2009 30,077 237,243 
			 March 2009 32,594 241,883 
			 April 2009 39,929 267,390 
			 May 2009 44,241 311,907 
		
	
	There were no external costs associated with the development of the TSA website. It was created in-house.
	The number of unique visitors and page impressions registered are listed as follows:
	
		
			  TSA website usage stats 
			   Unique visitors  Page views/impressions 
			 December 2008 (1) (1) 
			 January 2009 93,521 509,356 
			 February 2009 94,603 518,758 
			 March 2009 97,412 512,792 
			 April 2009 83,667 419,873 
			 May 2009 83,269 395,983 
			 (1) No figures available

Housing: Low Incomes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what arrangements there are for  (a) audit and  (b) evaluation of the customer service given by HomeBuy agents.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett) gave on 6 May 2009,  Official Report, column 242-3W, to the hon. Member for Welywn Hatfield (Grant Shapps).

Infrastructure Planning Commission: Offices

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of  (a) the annual cost of office accommodation for the Infrastructure Planning Commission and  (b) the costs incurred in (i) moving and (ii) refurbishment.

John Healey: The IPC HQ offices will be accommodated within the existing CLG estate in Bristol. This is in line with HMT's Operating and Efficiency Programme and CLG's Group Corporate Services Programme. Our current estimate of the costs of the programme including accommodation is in the impact assessment published in November 2007and the annex published in January 2009. Further work is under way to confirm the annual costs and refurbishment costs which are subject to negotiation at this stage and therefore commercial in confidence.

Local Government Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans  (a) his Department and  (b) the Audit Commission has to review guidance to local authorities on investment policies.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Officials are working with the Audit Commission, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and AccountancyCIPFAand the local authority associations to assess how the Department's investment guidance might be fine tuned in light of the report from the CLG Select Committee and the report of the Audit Commission on local authorities and Icelandic banks. The Department's guidance on local government investments is available at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/capital/data/lginvest2.pdf
	The Audit Commission does not issue guidance to authorities on investment policies.

London Development Agency: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the London Development Agency spent on consultants in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The London Development Agency is primarily accountable to the Mayor of London for the use of its expenditure, and the Government do not collect information on consultants.

London Development Agency: Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid in bonuses to  (a) directors,  (b) senior managers,  (c) specialist and delivery managers and  (d) executive support and administration staff in the London Development Agency in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The London Development Agency is primarily accountable to the Mayor of London for the use of its expenditure, and the Government do not collect information on any bonuses paid to its staff.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in each district of Greater Manchester have  (a) received assistance from and  (b) been refused assistance under the Mortgage Rescue Scheme because the value of their property exceeds the eligible criteria.

John Healey: The 285 million Government Mortgage Rescue Scheme has been operational across the country since January 2009. The scheme aims to support vulnerable households (families with dependent children, or those containing elderly, ill or disabled people, who can no longer afford their repayments and who would be legally entitled to homelessness assistance if repossessed) in England at risk of repossession over the next two years. The scheme is one part of a comprehensive package of measures to help households at risk of repossession.
	The scheme aims to offer help at different stages to vulnerable households facing repossession. Based on figures reported to CLG by local authorities participating in the scheme, 290 households in mortgage difficulties within the Greater Manchester region have so far received free advice and support from their local authority since the launch of the scheme.
	Based on the latest published statistics, 45 households in the Greater Manchester area were being assessed for the Government Mortgage to Rent and Shared Equity options of the scheme as at the end of April. A further 10 households in the following local authorities had benefited from action through the scheme in which the lender agreed to halt repossession action and freeze charges.
	Bolton(one household)
	Bury(two households)
	Manchester(five households)
	Oldham(two households)
	Additionally, two households in Oldham had received a formal offer of assistance to remain in their home from their housing association provider.
	Only one household in the Greater Manchester area has so far been ineligible for the Government Mortgage to Rent and Shared Equity options of the Scheme due to the property price cap. From 1 May, we raised the regional property caps for all regions to allow more households to apply for help.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications have been made to the Homeowner Mortgage Protection Scheme to date; and how many of these have met the eligibility criteria.

John Healey: The scheme opened with the first group of lenders on 21 April. Borrowers apply to the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme through their lender. Before being admitted to the scheme, they need to take money advice. We have worked with the participating lenders to produce a proportionate reporting system. Official figures on the number of households entering the scheme will be published later this year.

Parks: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many parks in  (a) Tameside and  (b) Stockport are receiving funding from his Department.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Public parks and green spaces are primarily funded through revenue support grant provided to local authorities by Communities and Local Government. Central Government do not prescribe how much should be spent by each local authority on their open spaces; this is a matter for them to determine in line with local priorities.
	Information is not collected by central Government on the number of parks in a local authority area or region.

Planning Permission

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local planning authorities have completed the process of adopting their local development documents.

Ian Austin: The Local Development Framework is the collective name for a suite of local development documents which includes core strategies and other development plan documents, supplementary planning documents and statements of community involvement.
	The number and type of local development documents will vary between local authorities as will timetables. These are published on each local authority's website. According to the Department's database, 97 core strategies or other development plan documents have been adopted by local planning authorities with a further 16 found sound by the Planning Inspectorate and awaiting adoption. The most recent list of documents can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website:
	http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/appeals/local_dev/dpd/submitted_dpd's_may_09.pdf
	This figure excludes all supplementary planning documents which are a local matter. In addition, all authorities have adopted statements of community involvement.

Planning Permission: Nature Conservation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of planning applications have been made in respect of sites where a population of  (a) great crested newts and  (b) bats has been found.

Ian Austin: The total number of sites subject to planning applications at which great crested newts or bats have been found is not collected. Great crested newts and bats are protected species under the European Habitats Directive and any development proposal that would exceptionally have an adverse effect on them would require a licence from Natural England.

Regional Resilience Forums

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who the members of each regional resilience forum in each Government Office region are.

Rosie Winterton: The membership of each regional resilience forum in each Government office region has been placed in the Library.

Sheltered Housing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will provide guidance to local authorities on use by tenants in sheltered housing of individualised budgets for the employment of housing scheme managers in advance of the expected increase in take-up of direct payments in 2011.

Ian Austin: CLG will not be providing specific guidance to local authorities to encourage tenants in sheltered housing to move to individual budgets for the employment of housing scheme managers. Individual budgets have been developed to ensure that service users are empowered to choose the service which best suit their needs framework. Also, providing guidance would not fit with the direction on devolution and increased decision making which authorities now have via the new local government framework.

Social Rented Housing: Standards

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many boilers have been replaced under the Decent Homes programme in each of the last three years.

Ian Austin: We do not collect data on the number of boilers installed in council homes. However, the statistical return that local authorities complete at the end of each financial year does include data on the number of dwellings that have had new central heating systems installed.
	
		
			  Number of local authority dwellings receiving new central heating systems by year 
			   Number 
			 2005-06 139,494 
			 2006-07 135,477 
			 2007-08 113,520 
			 Total 388,491 
			  Source: Data from the Business Plan Statistical Appendix 
		
	
	The Department does not collect data on insulation works by registered social landlords.

Supporting People Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to ensure the continued operation of Handy Person schemes after 1 April 2010.

Ian Austin: CLG will provide 17 million dedicated funding for handypersons services, via a separate named grant, in 2010-11. This will be the second year of a two year programme to build capacity in the sector, announced in the Government's housing strategy for an ageing society, Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods.

Waste Management: Advisory Bodies

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1164W, on the Waste Regional Advisory Group, what the  (a) membership and  (b) remit of each waste regional advisory group is.

Rosie Winterton: Government Office membership and remit of waste regional advisory group is as in the following table.
	
		
			  GO  Membership  Remit 
			 East None East does not have a WRAG. 
			 West Midlands None West Midlands does not have a WRAG. 
			 London None London does not have a WRAG. 
			
			 North East Chaired by the Government Office for the North East. Advisory in nature. Has an informal status. Members need to be clear that this will not be a formally constituted body: it will have no 'official' or statutory duties and responsibilities. 
			  Waste specialists from all local authorities in the north-east region. The predominant focus will be on local authority performance issues. 
			  Environment Agency. Principal outcomes: 
			  Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit. Efficient and effective standing communications between DEFRA's Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) LA support and key regional local authority waste stakeholders. 
			  North East Regional Waste Awareness Initiative (NERWAI). A collective arena within which all regional bodies with a stake in improving LA recycling/recovery performance can meet to inform, engage, 'join up', reflect and propose. 
			  North East Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership. Positive development of the WIP LA support programme. More co-ordinated working of regional networks and Government support programmes. 
			  Premier Wastewaste management company. Content and Structure of Meetings: 
			  SITA UKrecycling and waste management company. An exclusively Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) focus, though this can include other waste streams, providing the impact on municipal waste is evidenced. 
			  Groundwork UKenvironmental regeneration charity. Local authority performance orientated. 
			   Concentrate on issues pertinent to WIP LA support (e.g. early review of emerging projects and tools, development of new project ideas). However, other WIP streams and issues with an explicit regional dimension will also need to be coordinated with the Regional Technical Advisory Board on waste's (RTAB's) responsibilities (e.g. New Technologies, regional market development, land use planning etc.). 
			   Emphasis on action and implementation, not a general policy forum, although policy issues cannot be excluded where they have an overt implementation angle. 
			   Seeking to secure the most comprehensive regional dissemination and feedback. 
			
			 East Midlands None East Midlands does not have a WRAG. 
			
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber (Chair). To support local authorities and other partners in achieving improved performance on waste issues. 
			  Local Authorities. To act as a voice for YH Region with DEFRA and other national organisations and to be a mechanism to influence and support the implementation of DEFRA and other policy within the region. 
			  Local Government Yorkshire and Humber. Co-ordinating input to other regional forums and develop good communication links with them e.g. RTAB and RIWMS, Yorkshire Forward 
			  Environment Agency. Seek opportunities to share best practise and strengthen partnership working and networks and influence emerging projects and initiatives, including developing the most effective and efficient mechanism for regional dissemination. 
			  LARAC.  
			  Yorkshire Forward.  
			  Resources North.  
			  Resource Efficiency Yorkshire.  
			
			 South East None South East does not have a WRAG. 
			 South West None South West does not have a WRAG. 
			
			 North West The NW WRAG is chaired by GONW and comprised of representatives. The WRAG Remit includes: 
			  From: Government Office for the North West (chair and secretariat). A Strategic Focus on Municipal Waste in the NW and on Local Authority waste performance. 
			  Regional Technical advisory body 4NW regional leaders forum. Addressing issues relevant to DEFRA's waste implementation programme (WIP) (e.g. early review of emerging projects and tools, development of new project ideas). 
			  North West Development Agency The co-ordination of other WIP streams and issues with an explicit regional dimension (e.g. new technologies, regional market development, land use planning etc.). 
			  Environment Agency. Maximising regional dissemination of WIP to stakeholders through regional and sub-regional partnerships. 
			  3 x waste disposal authorities (including at least 1 Joint WDA). Collective feedback to DEFRA on consultations and emerging policies. 
			  5 x waste collection authorities (one per county area). Regional input to European, national and regional waste strategies, regional spatial strategy and emerging single regional strategy. 
			  Representation from five unitary authorities Joint consideration of appropriate bids for any future partnership funding e.g. WRAP and other DEFRA LA Waste funding and other funding providers. 
			  NWRF (North West Recycling Forum). Engage with/organise regional events, lever funding for seminars, workshops and conferences. 
			  WRAP (waste and resources action programme). The role of the WRAG is evolving in response to changes in the background against which the WRAG operates, notably in relation to regional governance. Partners in the region continue to see a need for the WRAG; and the group is currently involved in developing a programme of support to local delivery partners with the NW improvement and efficiency partnership. 
			  DEFRA WIP (as appropriate) CIWM.  
			  LARAC (local authority recycling committee).  
			  NW improvement and efficiency partnership

HEALTH

Blood: Safety

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what process his Department follows for approving medical products designed to ensure the safety of blood prior to their adoption for use by the National Blood Service;
	(2)  how many CE-marked medical products have subjected by his Department to efficacy and safety validation procedures in addition to those performed by manufacturers in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2008 and  (c) 2009 to date.

Gillian Merron: The Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) which is the Competent Authority in the United Kingdom for medical devices does not approve medical devices designed to ensure the safety of blood before they are placed on the market. Manufacturers of such medical devices must meet the relevant essential requirements in the Medical Devices directives prior to signing a declaration of conformity and CE marking their products.
	Such higher risk medical devices must obtain an EC Certificate of Conformity from a Notified Body as part of this conformity assessment process. As such MHRA has not carried out any safety or validation procedures on any CE marked medical devices in addition to those carried out by the manufacturer. Since the UK Blood Service has a legal responsibility to ensure the quality and safety of blood products, the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (MSBTO) also recommended that clinical trials be carried out, using blood which had been subjected to prion filtration. The independent Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs replaced MSBTO in 2008.

Blood: Safety

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the P-Capt prion filter has been subjected to safety and efficacy tests additional to those performed by the manufacturer by his Department.

Gillian Merron: The Government's independent expert scientific committee on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies), the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, recommended that the UK Blood Service should commission an independent validation of such products. The UK Blood Services have commissioned an independent assessment of the efficacy of the filter.
	Quality studies on filtered blood are being conducted in accordance with UK Blood Service guidelines.
	The need for safety studies was endorsed by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs in 2006.

Blood: Safety

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to his Department of testing the efficacy and safety of the P-Capt prion filter has been since such tests were required.

Gillian Merron: Efficacy and safety tests on the P-Capt filter have incurred no cost to the Department.

Children: Health

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues on the suitability of the use of  (a) pushchairs and  (b) car seats of categories 0 and 0+ as domestic seating for infants.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	This Department does not offer advice to parents and carers who wish to use pushchairs as domestic seating for infants, although we would recommend that anyone wishing to do so consults the pushchair manufacturer for guidance.
	The Department for Transport has responsibility for child restraint systems, the construction of which is governed by international UNECE Regulation 44. Compliance with this regulation ensures that children are provided with the best level of protection when travelling in a vehicle. There is no assessment made of the suitability of such a device for use in the home, and therefore the Department offers no guidance on this issue. However, we would recommend that adults wishing to allow infants to remain seated in such a device while in the home consult the child restraint manufacturer.

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to adapt its activities to climate change in the last two years.

Phil Hope: All Departments are actively involved in the cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme, which aims to help society adapt to climate change. The role of the programme is to develop and provide a comprehensive evidence base including adaptation tools, to raise awareness of the need to adapt, to measure success and to work across Government at all levels to embed adaptation. Further details about the programme's work can be found at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/adapt/index.htm
	As well as working together to tackle issues that affect all departments and their work, each Government Department is adapting to climate change in its own operations and policies.
	On adaptation to the expected health impacts of climate change, the Department of Health has:
	published a report with the Health Protection Agency on the Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK, 2008, using the UKCIP02 scenarios. The report sets out the various health effects facing the United Kingdom from climate change. A copy has already been placed in the Library;
	produced a National Heatwave Plan, first launched in 2004, that is updated yearly based upon the latest available evidence. The plan's purpose is to enhance resilience in the event of a heatwave. A copy has already been placed in the Library. A traffic light 'Heat-Health Watch' system operates in England during the summer months;
	produced guidance with the Health Protection Agency on dealing with disruptive challenges and managing incidents including from flooding. The guidance NHS Resilience and Business Continuity Management Guidance has been placed in the Library;
	raised awareness of the health impacts of climate change with guidance documents on climate change and promoting sustainable communities for the health sector, outlining key mitigation and adaptation policies and also suggesting a code for reducing carbon footprints;
	in December 2008, launched a new public health workforce initiative funded by the Department to address climate change. This is tasked with creating a new vision of the role for public health in tackling climate change, equipping the profession to take action on both reducing emissions and on preparing for climate change;
	on national health service energy targets, the NHS is working towards mandatory energy and carbon efficiency targets (from 2000 to 2010) and key performance indicators for new capital build developments and refurbishments, and the existing operational estate;
	the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy was recently launched on in January 2009 and sets out ways that these reduction targets can be achieved. The plans cover many aspects of patients' care, from building design to transport, waste, food, water and energy use;
	internationally and following on from the WHO Climate Change and Health Resolution, 2008, UK officials have worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat to develop a WHO work plan for its implementation. This work plan was agreed at the 62nd World Health Assembly this year; and
	the UK also co-chairs a Climate Change and Health Task Force, drafting a Framework for Action for WHO-Europe, given that, since the resolution was passed last year, WHO regions are developing their own climate change action plans.

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of his Department's potential gross  (a) costs and  (b) savings arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years.

Phil Hope: It is not currently possible to provide estimates of the potential costs and savings over the next three years. It has, however, been shown in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change that timely and well-targeted climate adaptation measures will yield benefits in excess of their costs. The main rationale for investment to address climate risk will be to reduce the United Kingdom's vulnerability to longer-term climate change impacts.
	The Government are undertaking a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Economic Analysis, which will provide estimates of the costs and benefits of adaptation to the UK. This analysis will be presented to Parliament within three years of the Climate Change Act 2008 coming in to force.

Diabetes: Orthopaedics

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people diagnosed with diabetes had an amputation in the year 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: In the year 2007-08 the number of finished consultant episodes for amputations due to diabetes mellitus was 2,114.
	Reducing the number of amputations due to diabetes mellitus relies on good self-management of diabetes and good services to support people with diabetes. The Diabetes National Service Framework sets out the overall strategy for preventing long-term complications of the condition. This has also been supplemented by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance, which recommends that people with diabetes should be offered foot examinations by trained personnel as part of their annual review. It also recommends that local national health service organisations have systems in place to identify people who may be at risk of developing foot complications and to offer them preventative foot care.
	Commissioning guidance Putting feet first was published by NHS Diabetes and Diabetes UK on 12 June and is to assist national health service organisations in developing services for the management of foot complications and the prevention of amputations.
	It is for local NHS organisations to commission a comprehensive service for people with diabetes that includes podiatry services, in accordance with best practice guidance.

Epilepsy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on  (a) research into and  (b) treatment of epilepsy in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The information requested in respect of research expenditure is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Expenditure on epilepsy research 
			   million 
			   Department of Health  Medical Research Council 
			 2004-05 0.4 3.9 
			 2005-06 0.2 4.9 
			 2006-07 0.4 4.9 
			 2007-08 0.9 5.9 
			 2008-09 1.5 (1) 
			 (1) Not yet available. 
		
	
	The departmental figures relate to national research programmes. They do not include expenditure on epilepsy research from the research and development allocations made over the period concerned to national health service organisations as that information is not held centrally.
	NHS expenditure on the treatment of epilepsy is not separately identifiable.

Epilepsy: Health Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to provide guidance on service improvement to those parts of the NHS engaged in the delivery of services to patients with epilepsy.

Ann Keen: Following my meeting with the all-party parliamentary group on epilepsy on 19 May, I have asked officials to work with epilepsy groups to consider what additional support is needed to improve the commissioning of epilepsy services in those areas of the country where services are not meeting the standards expected within the national health service.
	This work will build on earlier guidance to the NHS, including the national service framework for long-term conditions and the clinical guideline the Department commissioned from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care.

Fluoride: Drinking Water

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of too much fluoride entering the water supply in relation to each water  (a) authority and  (b) company have been reported since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
	The European standard for the maximum permitted level of fluoride in drinking water (1.5mg/l) is enshrined in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (as amended). The Drinking Water Inspectorate is the enforcement body for these regulations.
	Water authorities ceased to exist on privatisation of the water industry in 1989. Water companies are required to notify the Inspectorate of any breach of regulatory standards and the Inspectorate independently assesses the actions taken by the company.
	Since 1997 there have been three occasions when the Inspectorate has been notified of fluoride exceeding the standard in England or Wales, as follows:
	
		
			   Occasions of fluoride exceeding the standard  Water company 
			 1997 None  
			 1998 None  
			 1999 None  
			 2000 1 Three Valleys Water 
			 2001 None  
			 2002 None  
			 2003 None  
			 2004 1 Hartlepool Water 
			 2005 None  
			 2006 None  
			 2007 None  
			 2008 1 Severn Trent Water

Health Services: Voluntary Organisations

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to develop the role of the voluntary sector in the provision of health and social care.

Phil Hope: The Department values the substantial contribution voluntary organisations and the wider third sector make to the delivery of high quality health and social care services and has taken a strongly pro-active approach to recognising and embracing their contribution as critical and integral to the delivery of improved outcomes in health and social care.
	A cross-cutting third sector programme was established in 2007, with the key objective of increasing opportunities for third sector organisations to inform and influence national health service and local authority commissioning and to participate in the provision of services.
	The Department's Third Sector Investment Programme helps to strengthen and develop the partnership between the Department and third sector organisations; supporting innovative projects that help secure and promote high quality health and social care throughout England. 17,945,222 was made available in 2009-10 to fund 11 strategic partners, 116 new projects and 191 continuing projects.

Healthy Start Scheme

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many retailers are participating in his Department's Healthy Start scheme.

Gillian Merron: On 24 April 2009, the most recent date for which figures are available, there were 28,842 individual retail outlets participating in the Healthy Start Scheme in Great Britain.

Hospitals: Infections

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further steps he plans to take to reduce levels of healthcare-associated infections.

Ann Keen: The Department's strategy for reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in the national health service is set out in Clean, safe care, which has already been placed in the Library.
	In addition infection control is one of the top priorities in the NHS Operating Framework. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile targets to 2010-11 have been set under the Better Care for All Public Service Agreement. The NHS has met the 50 per cent. MRSA national reduction target. To follow this the National Quality Board is overseeing the development of a new minimum standard for MRSA, which will come into effect from April 2010.
	All relevant elective admissions to hospitals are now screened for MRSA, and all emergency admissions will be by 2011. Other steps include a technology programme designed to accelerate the development and uptake of new technologies to improve infection control, the development of a new national standard for cleanliness in the NHS, the expansion of the code of practice for the NHS on the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections to cover all care providers, and a new HCAI patient awareness campaign to be launched in the autumn.
	These measures should support the NHS to meet their legal registrations requirements on infection control with the new Care Quality Commission, which has a range of enforcement powers to ensure high performance in infection control. All acute NHS trusts are inspected annually to assess compliance against these requirements.

Incontinence: Medical Equipment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure his Department has incurred on the procurement of services from  (a) Deloitte and  (b) other consultants in respect of the review of Part IX of the Drug Tariff; and what estimate he has made of the total expenditure to be incurred on the procurement of such services.

Phil Hope: Costs for professional advice from Deloitte were around 3.7 million from April 2005 to February 2009. No other consultants were contracted.

Mental Health Services: Financial Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the development of measures to co-ordinate the provision of mental health services with the provision of relevant financial advice services.

Phil Hope: The Government are working to offer help and support to people whose lives are being affected by the current economic recession. This Department, Her Majesty's Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are co-ordinating efforts to help address the needs of people during the current economic recession.
	Health advisers on the dedicated NHS Direct telephone helpline are being trained to identify callers who might be experiencing depression because of the current economic recession and to refer them to appropriate sources of help.

Mentally Ill: Prisoners

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners were diagnosed with a mental illness in  (a) Essex and  (b) the Eastern region in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally.

Midwives

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of midwives recruited into the NHS who were recruited from overseas in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The Department does not collect data on the number of midwives recruited from overseas centrally.

MRSA: East of England

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many cases of MRSA in the East of England region have been reported to his Department in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many cases of MRSA in Luton and Dunstable Hospital have been reported to his Department in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested. The data are available only by financial year and the earliest period available is 2001-02.
	Since April 2001, all acute national health service trusts in England are obliged to report all cases of bloodstream infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
	The following data comprise all specimens processed by NHS acute trust laboratories, not just those from in-patients and include infections acquired in hospital and elsewhere.
	
		
			  Number of cases of bloodstream infections caused by MRSA 
			  April to March each year  East of England  Luton and Dunstable Foundation Trust 
			 2001-02 662 22 
			 2002-03 607 28 
			 2003-04 678 21 
			 2004-05 725 19 
			 2005-06 678 32 
			 2006-07 529 21 
			 2007-08 333 15

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which interventions  (a) have been assessed and  (b) are being assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) through its Single Technology Appraisal process; and on what date (i) each such intervention was referred to NICE, (ii) NICE (A) commenced and (B) completed its appraisal of each intervention and (iii) those interventions which have received a licence were licensed by NICE.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested has been placed in the Library. This includes the date on which drugs were licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the European Medicines Agency. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not responsible for the licensing of drugs.

NHS: ICT

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on the NHS IT dispute process in respect of its dispute with Fujitsu to date.

Mike O'Brien: As at 11 June 2009, payments for accountancy, and legal and associated professional services in connection with the dispute resolution process totalled some 2,613,000.

Osteoporosis: Health Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to encourage young people to take action to reduce their chances of having  (a) osteoporosis and  (b) fragility fractures in later life.

Ann Keen: A healthy lifestyle, including weight bearing exercise and following a balanced diet, can help to increase bone mineral density and protect against osteoporosis and the risk of fragility fractures in later life.
	The Department is working closely with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to address healthy lifestyles for children and young people on a variety of key health issues including exercise and diet. Holistic health initiatives such as the Healthy Schools Programme and the Healthy Further Education Programme are ensuring that progress continues to be made to develop healthy lifestyles among children and young people.
	The society-wide movement, Change 4 Life, will also help children and their families become healthier by improving diets and levels of activity.

Osteoporosis: Males

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve treatment of men who  (a) have osteoporosis and  (b) are at high risk of fragility fractures.

Ann Keen: The forthcoming prevention package for older people will include a focus on best practice for commissioning falls prevention and care for people with fractures and will support local national health service and social care organisations to improve services for falls, fractures and osteoporosis. We will continue to review the evidence and opportunity for improved services in this area.
	A healthy lifestyle, including weight bearing exercise and following a healthy diet, is a key element of managing osteoporosis. The society-wide movement, Change 4 Life, will help people become healthier by improving diets and levels of activity.

Strokes

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many cases of stroke there were in  (a) males and  (b) females in each age group in North Devon in each year since 1999;
	(2)  how many  (a) males and  (b) females in each age group under the age of 50 years were diagnosed as having had a stroke in each year since 1999.

Ann Keen: The following tables and notes show how many finished admission episodes for stroke, broken down by age group and sex for the years 1999-2000 to 2007-08 and how many finished admission episodes for stroke in Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) broken down by age group and sex.
	
		
			  Count of finished admission episodes for stroke( 1)  in Devon PCT, broken down by age group and sex, for the years 1999-2000 to 2007-08: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  Sex  Age group  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02  2000-01  1999-2000 
			  Male 0-9 * * * * * 6 0 0 * 
			  10-19 0 * * * * * * * 0 
			  20-29 * * * * * * 7 6 * 
			  30-39 13 8 * 12 11 15 10 18 9 
			  40-49 31 45 25 21 27 31 20 22 19 
			  50-59 61 71 69 78 77 64 89 61 56 
			  60-69 179 129 121 132 128 121 118 133 149 
			  70-79 268 277 268 232 250 264 302 300 340 
			  80-89 298 302 285 261 284 229 230 219 245 
			  90+ 70 76 70 68 43 60 39 45 39 
			  Unknown * * 9 * * 0 0 0 0 
			
			  Female 0-9 * * 0 * * * 0 0 * 
			  10-19 0 * * * 0 * 0 * * 
			  20-29 * * * 11 * * * * * 
			  30-39 11 * 11 9 12 17 6 8 8 
			  40-49 29 23 16 16 34 23 32 19 26 
			  50-59 43 48 43 54 30 54 55 60 53 
			  60-69 114 85 93 100 82 81 80 98 98 
			  70-79 248 255 269 236 240 243 260 315 292 
			  80-89 453 469 430 413 406 400 422 427 390 
			  90+ 173 142 178 200 164 141 126 127 134 
			  Unknown 9 * 13 6 * 0 0 0 0 
			  Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 
		
	
	
		
			  Count of finished admission episodes for stroke( l) , broken down by age group and sex, for the years 1999- 20 00 to 2007-08 in England: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  Sex  Age group  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02  2000-01  1999-2000 
			  Male 0-9 163 158 163 154 145 136 97 117 153 
			  10-19 113 119 164 141 133 175 135 112 110 
			  20-29 347 322 291 269 305 278 325 265 279 
			  30-39 814 899 897 862 852 809 867 760 681 
			  40-49 2,312 2,364 2,244 2,296 2,118 2,038 1,904 1,840 1,877 
			  50-59 4,383 4,616 4,718 4,837 4,633 4,640 4,595 4,346 4,517 
			  60-69 7,891 7,683 7,877 8,106 8,140 8,207 8,079 8,202 8,680 
			  70-79 11,670 11,718 12,628 12,332 12,798 13,268 13,315 13,633 14,990 
			  80-89 10,208 10,340 10,447 10,114 10,431 10,407 9,951 9,429 9,444 
			  90+ 1,910 1,938 1,951 1,791 1,782 1,750 1,540 1,451 1,372 
			  Unknown 13 49 12 11 13 96 38 103 50 
			
			  Female 0-9 119 83 86 95 80 85 61 67 74 
			  10-19 76 107 100 149 77 84 89 83 72 
			  20-29 274 264 277 253 279 279 254 270 301 
			  30-39 703 792 746 779 759 788 716 755 776 
			  40-49 1,918 1,801 1,774 1,959 1,692 1,754 1,616 1,544 1,619 
			  50-59 2,887 3,055 3,203 3,224 3,245 3,304 3,161 3,036 3,236 
			  60-69 5,135 4,986 5,281 5,543 5,481 5,554 5,408 5,772 6,222 
			  70-79 10,439 10,828 11,822 11,611 12,133 12,731 12,857 13,252 14,773 
			  80-89 15,858 16,255 16,608 16,867 17,004 17,340 16,708 16,497 16,823 
			  90+ 5,583 5,653 5,933 5,650 5,563 5,506 5,023 4,837 4,826 
			  Unknown 34 64 18 18 9 122 50 77 47 
			
			  Other /Unknown 0-9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 
			  10-19 0 0 3 0 0 0 o 1 0 
			  20-29 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  30-39 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 
			  40-49 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 5 
			  50-59 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 10 
			  60-69 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 6 9 
			  70-79 2 1 3 2 0 2 2 10 27 
			  80-89 1 5 3 1 3 3 2 10 43 
			  90+ 1 3 1 2 0 1 0 5 10 
			  Unknown 2 0 0 0 0 0 44 1 1 
			 (1) The following ICD-10 codes have been used: 160 Subarachnoid haemorrhage 161 Intracerebral haemorrhage 162 Other nontraumatic intracranial haemorrhage 163 Cerebral infarction 164 Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction  Notes:  Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.  Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  PCT/strategic health authority (SHA) data quality PCT and SHA data were added to historic data years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of treatment and SHA of treatment is poor in 1996-97,1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of GP practice and SHA of General practitioners practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in national health service practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  Small numbers To protect patient confidentiality, figures between one and five have been suppressed and replaced with * (an asterisk). Where it was possible to identify numbers from the total due to a single suppressed number in a row or column, an additional number (the next smallest) has been suppressed.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Swine Flu: Health Education

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of his Department's effectiveness in the distribution to households of information on swine influenza; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Independent research was carried out to check the receipt of the swine flu information leaflet by households, and recall of the leaflet's information, after the household distribution had been completed. The findings confirmed that most people participating in the research when prompted recalled receiving the leaflet, and of these, the majority had read it.
	Tracking research is being carried out to check awareness of the entire information campaign and knowledge and understanding of swine flu.

Tranquillisers

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 1228-30W, on tranquillisers, in what format information on the number of in-patient prescriptions dispensed is held.

Mike O'Brien: The extract of the Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index held by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care shows only the total volume (in terms of packs) issued from hospital pharmacy departments in a month. Reporting the total number of packs for selected drugs has little meaning as pack sizes can differ for the same drug or between different drugs. The Department is unable to state the number of prescriptions dispensed or supplied for patients. In addition, the number of patients treated with each pack is not known as a pack could be used to treat one patient or more.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Databases

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the reliability of the shielding process on the ContactPoint database; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Shielding of a small proportion of children's records on ContactPoint is an additional security measure, above the significant security arrangements that apply to the system in general. It is appropriate in cases where there might be a risk of harm if the child's location became known.
	The system processes to support shielding were assessed as part of the extensive testing of ContactPoint by the ContactPoint project team and a selection of future ContactPoint users drawn from local authorities and our national partners. The system processes were confirmed as working correctly. The ContactPoint project team has also considered feedback received from local authorities undertaking pre-deployment shielding activities.
	All local authorities have confirmed completion of the initial shielding phase of ContactPoint, and early adopters have begun controlled practitioner use. We continue to take a measured approach to introducing ContactPoint, which includes assessment of the experience of use of the system by Early Adopters.

Children: Day Care

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) out-of-school and  (b) holiday play schemes for children there were in (i) North East Lincolnshire and (ii) North Lincolnshire in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Table 1 shows the number of out of school clubs in North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire in each of the last five years for which data were collected. The last year that Ofsted collected this information was 2008. Information on the number of holiday play schemes is not available as Ofsted do not collect this data.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number( 1,2)  of out of school clubs for children under eight years of age 
			   Local authority area 
			  Position at 31 March each year :  North East Lincolnshire  North Lincolnshire 
			 2004 20 20 
			 2005 20 20 
			 2006 30 20 
			 2007 30 20 
			 2008 20 30 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source: Ofsted

Children: Day Care

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many registered childcare places for children under eight years old there were in Cleethorpes constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available by parliamentary constituency. Data were collected at local authority level only. The tables show the number of child care places in North East Lincolnshire local authority for 1997 and 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1 Number( 1,)( )( 2)  of day care places for children under eight years of age by type of providerNorth East Lincolnshire  local authority area, p osition at 31 March 1997 
			  Type of provider  Number 
			 Day nurseries 200 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 900 
			 Childminders 500 
			 Out of school clubs 40 
			 Holiday schemes (3) 
			 Total 1,600 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Figures may not add up to total due to rounding (3) Data not collected  Source: Children's Day Care Facilities Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number( 1,)( )( 2)  of registered child care places for children under eight years of age by type of careNorth East Lincolnshire local authority area,  p osition at 31 March 2008 
			  Type of care  Number 
			 Full day care 1,500 
			 Sessional day care 300 
			 Childminders 500 
			 Out of school day care 700 
			 Crche day care 200 
			 Total 3,100 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Figures may not add up to total due to rounding  Source: Ofsted 
		
	
	Ofsted have collected information on the number of registered child care places available to children aged eight and under on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report 'Registered Childcare Providers and Places, March 2009', which is available on their website
	http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Statistics/Registered-childcare-providers-and-places-in-England-December-2008-onwards

Children: Protection

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of parents who were in care who have had their children removed from them as a result of care proceedings in the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 9 June 2009
	 The Department holds no data on the number of parents who were in care, who have subsequently had their children removed from their care as a result of care proceedings so cannot provide an estimate of this.
	The decision to take a child into care is never an easy one, and the decision to make a care order is taken by the courts. The parent's background should not be a factor. Courts must be satisfied the threshold criteria are met before it can make a care order. The threshold criteria are that the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm and that is attributable to the care given to the child or likely to be given to the child, if the order were not made.

Departmental Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which official is responsible for the energy efficiency of his Department's estate.

Diana Johnson: The official responsible for the energy efficiency for the Department for Children, Schools and Families estate is Janet Young, Deputy Director for Estates and Facilities Management Division.

GCSE

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of GCSE entrants achieved each grade in  (a) history,  (b) citizenship,  (c) physics,  (d) English and  (e) mathematics in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Numbers and proportions of GCSE entrants who achieved each grade in history, citizenship, physics, English and mathematics in each of the last five years can be found in the following publications:
	In publications for 2004/05 to 2007/08, information regarding history, physics, English and mathematics is on table 13 and figures for citizenship are in table 15.
	 GCSE and Equivalent Examination Results in England 2007/08 (Revised)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000826/index.shtml
	 GCSE and Equivalent Examination Results in England 2006/07 (Revised)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000768/index.shtml
	 GCSE and Equivalent Examination Results in England 2005/06 (Revised)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000702/index.shtml
	 GCSE and Equivalent Results and Associated Value Added Measures in England 2004/05 (Final)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000664/index.shtml
	In the publication for 2003/04 information regarding history, physics, English and mathematics is on table 12 and figures for citizenship are in table 14.
	 GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People in England, 2003/04 (Final)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000585/contents.shtml

Grammar Schools: Admissions

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how much has been spent from the public purse on petitioning and balloting procedures in relation to selective admission arrangements for grammar schools since the coming into force of the provisions of the Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations 1998;
	(2)  what costs his Department has incurred in respect of retaining the services of the Electoral Reform Society for  (a) petitions and  (b) ballots on selective admission arrangements to grammar schools.

Diana Johnson: The report to Ministers on the grammar schools' ballot system was released in August 2007. It outlines annual expenditure, including the administrative coststo date, these together have totalled 2.32 million.

Integrated Children's System

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 540-41W, on the integrated children's system (ICS), who developed the requirements for local authorities to procure systems from IT suppliers to support the delivery of the model.

Dawn Primarolo: The ICS requirements were originally produced as part of the Quality Protects Management Information project, by a team comprising Department of Health (latterly, following machinery of government changes, Department for Education and Skills) officials, local authority officers, and academics working in collaboration. Frontline social workers and managers were involved in development through consultative workshops and local trialling of materials. Commercial suppliers of children's social care systems were also consulted and informed.
	In order to learn about the processes involved in the provision of children's social care services the Department of Health consulted with local authorities and policy specialists. This enabled them to structure the broad information requirements in a logical, systematic way.
	The requirements have been subsequently updated by the DCSF, through a collaboration of policy and practice advisers with frontline social work experience and contracted specialists with knowledge of the production of industry-standard requirements documentation. The most recent requirements have taken account of technical queries raised at earlier stages by local authority officers, and were partly informed by a dedicated workshop with a number of local authority officers involved in ICS implementation.

Olympic Games 2012

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many full-time equivalent members of staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its associated public bodies are working on projects relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; how many of them are working on (i) project management, (ii) legacy planning, (iii) project oversight and (iv) financial oversight; and what plans he has for future staffing levels in each case.

Diana Johnson: The education opportunities presented by the 2012 Games are being used to build on and add value to existing activity being undertaken by the DCSF. There are 1.3 full-time equivalent members of staff allocated to co-ordinating this work. They deal with all aspects of project management, legacy planning and project oversight. Future staffing levels for this work are expected to remain at this level.
	The DCSF is supported in the delivery of the education legacy plan by an extensive range of strategic and delivery partners, such as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, DIUS and the Government Olympic Executive, with some working with us across all elements of the plan, others on specific projects.

Play: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Department has allocated for children's play in  (a) Tameside and  (b) Stockport in 2009-10.

Vernon Coaker: Tameside has been allocated 393,306 capital funding and 19,802 revenue funding for 2009-10.
	Stockport has been allocated 528,703 capital funding and 26,991 revenue funding for 2009-10.
	Tameside began receiving play funding from April 2008, as part of the first wave of the children's plan play capital investment programme. The National Play Strategy, which was published in December 2008, announced that Government would be accelerating the capital programme so that all of the remaining 89 top tier local authorities in England would receive funding from April 2009 as wave two of the investment programme. This means that all 152 local authorities will be receiving play capital, and associated revenue, funding during the 2009-10 financial year. Stockport has joined the programme in this second wave.

Pre-school Education: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many registered childcare places for children under eight years old there are in Milton Keynes.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3)  of registered child care places for children under eight years of age by type of careMilton Keynes local authority area , position at 31 March 2009 
			  Type of care  Number 
			 Child minders 2,100 
			 Child care on non-domestic premises 6,900 
			 Child care on domestic premises * 
			 Home child carer n/a 
			 Total 9,000 
			 * = Less than 5. n/a = Not available. (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source: Ofsted. (3) Figures may not add up to total due to rounding. 
		
	
	Ofsted have collected information on the number of registered child care places available to children aged eight and under on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report Registered Childcare Providers and Places, March 2009, which is available on their website:
	http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Statistics/Registered-childcare-providers-and-places-in-England-December-2008-onwards

Pupil Referral Units

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much contact time pupils of each age in pupil referral units received on average in the latest period for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: Reliable information on contact time is not available.
	Work is underway to develop pupil level data collections for pupils in pupil referral units, and this should address the current reliability issues.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils eligible to receive free school meals achieved level 4 or above in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics in Key Stage 2 tests in each year since 2005.

Diana Johnson: The number and proportion of pupils eligible to receive free school meals that achieved level 4 or above in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics in key stage 2 tests in the school year 2007/08 can be found in Tables 6 and 7 of the Statistical First Release 'Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2007/08, January 2009 (Provisional)' at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000822/index.shtml
	Information for the school year 2006/07 can be found in tables 5 and 6 of the Statistical First Release 'National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2006/07' at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml
	Information for the school year 2005/06 can be found in tables 1 and 2 of the Statistical First Release 'National Curriculum Assessments, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2005/06' at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000708/index.shtml

School Meals

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's policy is on participation in the EU School Fruit scheme.

Diana Johnson: No decision has yet been made regarding participation in the EU School Fruit Scheme. In consultation with the Department for Health we are checking implementation regulations to help form our decision.

Schools: Standards

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what results each local authority in England achieved against the criteria included in the National Challenge in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what percentage of children met the criteria in each such year; what percentage of children were entitled to free school meals in each local education authority (LEA) in each such year, ranked from highest to lowest; what rank each authority achieved in each of the criteria included in the National Challenge; and for each local education authority what its rank order number was against the  (a) National Challenge and  (b) free school meals criterion.

Diana Johnson: The current National Challenge set to each maintained mainstream schools is for more than 30 per cent. of their Key Stage 4 cohort to achieve five or more GCSEs at A*-C or the equivalent including the subjects of English and mathematics.
	This indicator is available only for 2006 and onwards although data for free school meals eligibility are available for the requested years.
	The available data have been placed in the House Libraries.

Schools: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools which achieved a rating of good or outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection received a rating of satisfactory or inadequate for behaviour.

Vernon Coaker: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, 13 May 2009:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for reply.
	The 'inadequate' inspection outcome was introduced in September 2005 as part of a four-point scale: outstanding, good, satisfactory, inadequate. Therefore, only schools which have been inspected under the current inspection framework have been included in this analysis.
	Since the introduction of the current framework, no schools have been judged to have outstanding or good overall effectiveness and inadequate behaviour. One school was judged to have outstanding overall effectiveness and satisfactory behaviour at its most recent inspection, while 185 schools were judged to have good overall effectiveness and satisfactory behaviour at their most recent inspection.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to the right hon. Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

Sure Start Programme: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point have enrolled in Sure Start in each year since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Essex county council currently has 60 Sure Start Children's Centres offering access to services to around 49,722 children under five and their families. In Castle Point borough council there are three centres offering services to approximately 2,828 children. The Department does not hold information centrally on how many children have enrolled in Sure Start in each year since 2003.

Young People: Databases

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) records and  (b) data fields there are in (i) the National Pupil Database, (ii) ContactPoint, (iii) the Common Assessment Framework and eCAF, (iv) the Integrated Children's System, (v) the Wiring Up Youth Justice system, (vi) the Youth Offender Information System, (vii) RAISE, (viii) the Universal Monitoring and Evaluation Information System, (ix) the ASSET Young Offender Assessment Profile and (x) Onset.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department for Children, Schools and Families is responsible for (i) the National Pupil Database, (ii) ContactPoint, (iii) the Common Assessment Framework and eCAF, and (iv) the Integrated Children's System.
	The YJB, DCSF and MOJ jointly sponsor Wiring Up Youth Justice (v), which is a programme, not a system for holding data. The Youth Offender Information System (vi), RAISE (vii), and the Universal Monitoring and Evaluation Information System (viii), are commercially supplied, local authority based systems, which the YJB monitors and has some limited influence on. The Youth Justice Board, an executive agency jointly sponsored by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice, is responsible for the ASSET Young Offender Assessment Profile (xi) and Onset (x), which are national assessment tools, and not electronic systems for holding data.
	I am able to provide the following information.
	 National Pupil Database
	As an indication of the number of records in The National Pupil Database, there were around 7.3 million full-time equivalent pupils in state funded primary, secondary and special schools in 2008.
	The National Pupil Database is a longitudinal database linking pupil and student characteristics to school and college learning aims and attainment information for all children in maintained schools in England since 2002. The National Pupil Database also holds individual-pupil level attainment data for pupils in non-maintained and independent schools who partake in the tests or examinations.
	The National Pupil Database holds pupil and school characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, attendance and exclusions (sourced from the School Census) for maintained schools only, matched to pupil-level attainment data (Foundation Stage Profile, Key Stage assessments and external examinations) collected from schools and local authorities by the Department, the National Assessment Agency and awarding bodies. The number of data items included for each pupil will depend on where they are in the education cycle and on which tests and examinations they have taken.
	 ContactPoint
	In March 2009 there were 12.4 million records on ContactPoint with a further 445 thousand records in the archive. ContactPoint has a number of data fields which contain information supplied by each data source. Some fields can hold multiple entries, for example where two addresses are known. Some fields hold information calculated by the system rather than supplied by data sources and some are considered metadata, such as verification levels and the date last updated.
	 eCAF
	The national eCAF system is currently under development and not yet at the stage where  (a) the number of records or  (b) the number of data fields that will be held in the system can be defined.
	 The Integrated Children's System
	The Integrated Children's System is a set of requirements that guide local authorities in implementing their local children's social care case management systems. Each local authority is separately responsible for its own IT systems and case records, and information on these is not held centrally.
	 Wiring Up Youth Justice programme
	The Wiring Up Youth Justice programme (WuYJ) is a business change programme of projects that improves the ability of YOTs, the YJB and the secure estate to electronically access and exchange information that is already held in existing case management systems. As such, it is not a system where data is stored. However, WuYJ is developing the Youth Justice Management Information System, which from 2009/10 will store limited data extracted by YOTs from UMIS, YOIS and RAISE. It is replacing the Themis system which previously carried out this function.
	 The Youth Offending Information System
	The Youth Offending Information System (YOIS) is a case management system developed and marketed by CACI (formerly Social Software Ltd), and made available to local authorities to purchase on behalf of their youth offending teams. Over one hundred local authorities have purchased licences to use this system.
	 RAISE
	The RAISE system (also known as Careworks YOT) is a case management system developed and marketed by Careworks Ltd. and made available to local authorities to purchase on behalf of their youth offending teams. Over 40 local authorities have purchased licences to use this system.
	 Universal Monitoring and Evaluation Information System (UMIS)
	UMIS is an advanced information management system developed and marketed by CACI (formerly Social Software Ltd.) for use by all services involved in the field of prevention. It records the whole intervention process from observations and concerns, through to referral, assessment, panel, intervention and evaluation, providing an overview of the work undertaken with the child, young person or family so this can be evaluated on an ongoing basis and help point to how better outcomes can be achieved in the future.
	 Asset
	Research commissioned by the Youth Justice Board has established the main risk factors that lead to youth offending and also the protective factors that can prevent it. Asset provides a common, structured framework for assessment of all young people involved in the criminal justice system. It is a standard national assessment tool of the factors contributing to a young person's offending. Asset details are recorded on YOIS or RAISE. Asset is a national assessment tool, not a system.
	 Onset
	The Onset referral and assessment framework was designed by the Centre for Criminological Research, University of Oxford for the YJB and was piloted by the 13 pilot youth inclusion and support panels.
	Onset promotes the Youth Justice Board's prevention strategy by helping to identify risk factors to be reduced and protective factors to be enhanced. It also provides information which might be helpful in selecting appropriate interventions for those identified as needing early intervention.
	When collated, the information on Onset can be used for monitoring, as well as targeting specific sub-groups where applicable, or providing progress data to steering groups. The new prevention counting rules require all Youth Justice Board-funded prevention programmes to use Onset as the basis for their referral and assessment mechanisms. Onset details are recorded on UMIS and RAISE. Onset is a national assessment tool, not a system.
	More detailed information about these systems is not held centrally and it would far exceed the cost threshold to collect and collate it.

JUSTICE

Civil Service Bill: Draft

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his latest timetable is for a Civil Service Bill.

Michael Wills: The draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contained provisions in respect of the civil service. We anticipate that the Bill will be introduced before the summer recess for carry-over into the next parliamentary session.

Civil Service Bill: Draft

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the latest timetable is for the parliamentary stages of a Civil Service Bill.

Michael Wills: The draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contained provisions in respect of the civil service. We anticipate that the Bill will be introduced before the summer recess for carry-over into the next parliamentary session.

Coroners: Operating Costs

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse was of the operation of coroners' courts in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: The Ministry of Justice does not have any operational responsibility for the coroner service. The costs of operating coroners' courts are shared between coroners' respective local authorities and police authorities, and no costing information is kept centrally by this Department. Data collected by Communities and Local Government give total revenue spending by local authorities on the coroner service over the last five years as:
	
		
			million 
			 2003-04 46.00 
			 2004-05 50.98 
			 2005-06 54.21 
			 2006-07 59.08 
			 2007-08 66.26 
		
	
	These figures do not include capital spending by local authorities or costs incurred by police forces, for which no data are available.

Coroners: South West

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the resources available to coroners' offices in the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority area.

Bridget Prentice: The Ministry of Justice does not have operational responsibility for the coroner service and does not undertake assessments of resources available to coroners. This is a matter for individual coroners to negotiate with their local and police authorities.
	Nevertheless discussions are taking place in Devon and Cornwall including for example with Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) over the possibility of using court facilities.

Crime Prevention: Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of his Department's funding was allocated to the Children's Fund for youth crime prevention in the last 12 month period for which information is available.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	Up to 2005-06 there was a requirement for Children's Fund Partnerships to allocate 25 per cent. of their expenditure to youth crime projects. The total funding for the Children's Fund for the period 2005-06 was 146 million. Therefore, 36.5 million of these funds were allocated to youth crime prevention. In 2006-07 the requirement of the 25 per cent. quota was discontinued. Since April 2008 funding has been distributed to local authorities and pooled with other funding via the Area Based Grant. Directing funding through local authorities gives local areas the freedom and flexibility to base spending decisions on local circumstances and the needs of local communities.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have been sought in each of the last 10 years; and how many such prosecutions were successful.

Claire Ward: The number of defendants who were proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offence of 'Depositing litter' under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 sec.87, in England and Wales, 1998 to 2007 (latest available) is shown in the table.
	These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Court proceedings data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Number of defendants who were proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offence of 'Depositing litter' under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 sec.  87, England and Wales, 1998 to 2007( 1,)( )( 2) 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 1998 494 377 
			 1999 501 390 
			 2000(3) 466 333 
			 2001 457 334 
			 2002 332 256 
			 2003 551 406 
			 2004 908 645 
			 2005 1,447 1,017 
			 2006 2,022 1,340 
			 2007 3,063 2,303 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty Is Imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, It is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Staffordshire police force were able to submit only sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.  Source:  OCJRE and A: Office for Criminal Justice ReformEvidence and Analysis Unit, Ministry of Justice

HM Courts Service: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much HM Courts Service spent on consultants in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: HMCS came into existence in April 2005 and therefore figures prior to this date are not available.
	
		
			  Consultancy spend full year  HMCS ( million) 
			 2005-06 4.9 
			 2006-07 3.3 
			 2007-08 4.7 
		
	
	Data for April 2008 to March 2009 are currently unavailable. A manual data collection exercise for this period is scheduled to commence in the summer of 2009 with a target date for the availability of the data set of 31 October 2009.

Parole Board

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many cases the Parole Board considered in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of offenders were granted oral hearings by the Parole Board in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09;
	(3)  how many of the offenders who were granted oral hearings by the Parole Board were subsequently granted parole in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09.

Jack Straw: In 2007-08 the Parole Board considered a total of 31,172 cases. Approximately 8 per cent. were considered by oral hearing, which equates to 2,072 three-member hearings and 459 one-member hearings. Of those a total of 16 per cent. of offenders were recommended for release.
	In 2008-09 the Parole Board considered a total of 28,596 cases. Approximately 10 per cent. were considered by oral hearing, which equates to 2,335 three-member hearings and 422 one-member hearings. Of those a total of 16 per cent. of offenders were recommended for release.

Prisoners Release

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were granted compassionate release in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: The numbers of prisoners who were granted permanent early release on compassionate grounds in each of the last five years is shown in the following tables. The data are split between prisoners serving fixed-term sentences (where the data are collected by calendar year) and those serving indeterminate sentences (where the data are collected by financial year).
	
		
			  Determinate  sentenced prisoners 
			   Fixed-term prisoners 
			 2004 4 
			 2005 11 
			 2006 7 
			 2007 5 
			 2008 7 
			 Total 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Indeterminate  sentenced prisoners 
			   Number 
			 2004-05 4 
			 2005-06 2 
			 2006-07 2 
			 2007-08 4 
			 2008-09 2 
			 Total 14 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from internal records and the Public Protection Unit Database in the National Offender Management Service. As with any large scale recording systems, they are subject to possible errors with data migration and processing.

Restorative Justice

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) community and  (b) custody caseload of the probation service was in March in each of the last five financial years.

Jack Straw: The total community and pre-release custodial offender caseload for England and Wales as at 31 March in each of the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			   Supervised in community( 1)  Supervised in custody 
			 2004 144,076 61,110 
			 2005 151,443 61,799 
			 2006 166,557 63,697 
			 2007 173,400 66,347 
			 2008 178,652 67,535 
			 (1) Includes those supervised on court orders as well as post-release supervision. 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Young Offenders: Crimes of Violence

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people under 21 years old who were convicted of  (a) grievous bodily harm and  (b) violent disorder under the provisions of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 served less than (i) 12 months and (ii) 18 months in custody in the last three years;
	(2)  how many people under 18 years old who were convicted of  (a) grievous bodily harm and  (b) violent disorder under the provisions of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 served less than (i) 12 months and (ii) 18 months in custody in the last three years.

Maria Eagle: The data provided show the number of offenders aged under 18 and between 18 and 20 sentenced to immediate custody and the length of the custodial sentence, in England and Wales. The data are for the offences of grievous bodily harm or violent disorder where such an offence was the principal offence for which the offender was sentenced. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed, where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.
	Almost all custodial sentences for offenders under 21 are defined under the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced indeterminate sentences for public protection for grievous bodily harm and violent disorder from 4 April 2005, which are also included in the tables.
	
		
			  Offenders aged under 18 and between 18 and 20 sentenced to immediate custody for grievous bodily harm( 1)  and violent disorder, between 2005-07 
			  Under 18s sentenced to immediate custody 
			   2005  2006  2007 
			  Grievous bodily harm
			 Up to 3 months n/a n/a n/a 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 56 63 51 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 121 119 105 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 40 54 61 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 70 76 73 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 15 12 10 
			 4 years 14 10 11 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 7 13 15 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 11 13 24 
			 Total 334 360 350 
			 
			  Violent disorder
			 Up to 3 months n/a n/a n/a 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 27 19 13 
			 Over 6 up to 12months 18 15 17 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 23 17 25 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 1 2 2 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 0 0 0 
			 4 years 0 0 0 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 0 0 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 0 0 0 
			 Total 69 53 57 
		
	
	
		
			  Offenders aged between 18 and 20 
			   2005  2006  2007 
			  Grievous bodily harm
			 Up to 3 months 10 3 7 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 55 61 31 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 66 62 87 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 203 239 238 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 243 221 267 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 55 33 25 
			 4 years 48 24 48 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 49 35 48 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 58 107 117 
			 Total 787 785 866 
			 
			  Violent disorder
			 Up to 3 months 1 1 1 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 14 13 14 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 35 14 28 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 61 43 57 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 33 36 25 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 4 2 0 
			 4years 1 5 2 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 0 1 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 0 1 1 
			 Total 154 116 128 
			 n/a = Not applicable, the minimum term for a detention and training order for an offender aged under 18 is three months. (1) Offences of: Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Causing explosion or casting corrosive fluids with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious wounding, racially aggravated malicious wounding or GBH, religiously aggravated wounding or GBH, racially or religiously aggravated wounding or GBH.  Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. 2. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	Sentencing data are given in this answer because data on length of time served are not collected by specific offence.
	If the offence was committed on or after 4 April 2005, release arrangements are covered by the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003, where either a standard determinate sentence, Extended Sentence for Public Protection or Imprisonment for Public Protection would apply. The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 amended the release arrangements for certain sentences from the CJA 2003. Life sentence prisoners are released under the terms of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.
	Average time served in prison for young offenders can be found in table 9.2 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007 available at the following link:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm

Young Offenders: Crimes of Violence

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people under 21 years old in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point who were convicted of (i) grievous bodily harm and (ii) violent disorder under the provisions of the Powers of Criminal Court (Sentencing) Act 2000 served less than (1) 12 months and (2) 18 months in custody in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people under 18 years old in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point who were convicted of (i) grievous bodily harm and (ii) violent disorder under the provisions of the Powers of Criminal Court (Sentencing) Act 2000 served less than (A) 12 months and (B) 18 months in custody in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The data provided show the number of offenders aged under 18 and between 18 and 20 sentenced to immediate custody and the length of the custodial sentence, in Essex police force area. Data are not available for Castle Point. The data are for the offences of grievous bodily harm or violent disorder where such an offence was the principal offence for which the offender was sentenced. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed, where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.
	Almost all custodial sentences for offenders under 21 are defined under the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced indeterminate sentences for public protection for grievous bodily harm and violent disorder from 4 April 2005, which are also included in the table.
	
		
			  Offenders aged under 18 and 18-20 sentenced to immediate custody for grievous bodily harm( 1)  or violent disorder( 2)  by length of sentence ,  Essex police force area, 2003-07 
			  Under 18's 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Grievous bodily harm  
			 Up to 3 months 0 0 1 1 2 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 2 0 1 1 1 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 3 2 0 0 1 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 2 0 2 2 3 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 0 1 2 0 3 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 7 3 6 4 10 
			  
			  Violent disorder 
			 Up to 3 months 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 4 Including 5 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 0 1 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  18-20 year olds 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Grievous bodily harm  
			 Up to 3 months 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 2 0 1 1 1 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 0 1 1 0 2 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 4 3 5 9 3 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 7 4 3 3 4 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 0 0 1 1 0 
			 4 years 0 0 1 1 1 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 0 1 4 0 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 2 0 0 1 4 
			 Total 16 9 16 16 16 
			   
			  Violent disorder  
			 Up to 3 months 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 3 up to 6 months 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 6 up to 12 months 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Over 12 up to 18 months 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Over 18 up to 3 years 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Over 3 up to 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 4 including 5 years 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Over 5 years including indeterminate 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 0 2 1 0 
			 (1) Offences of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Causing explosion or casting corrosive fluids with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious wounding, racially aggravated malicious wounding or GBH, religiously aggravated wounding or GBH, racially or religiously aggravated wounding or GBH. (2) Public Order Act 1986 sec. 2  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source:  OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	Sentencing data are given in this answer because data on length of time served are not collected by specific offence.
	If the offence was committed on or after the 4 April 2005, release arrangements are covered by the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003, where either a standard determinate sentence, extended sentence for public protection or imprisonment for public protection would apply. The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 amended the release arrangements for certain sentences from the CJA 2003. Life sentence prisoners are released under the terms of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.
	Average time served in prison for young offenders can be found in table 9.2 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007 available at the following link:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education: Finance

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding he plans to allocate to adult learning centres in Derbyshire in 2009-10.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 9 June 2009
	The Government are investing 5 billion in adult skills in 2009-10; this investment will fund a record three million adult learners.
	In addition to this, in the light of the economic downturn we have made available a significant package of support, focused on providing opportunities for those out of work to gain the skills to enter sustainable employment.
	This includes 83 million to fund an additional 75,000 further education (FE) places over the next two years for those who have been out of work for six months or longer. FE providers in Derbyshire have successfully bid for 1.6 million of this package. We are also investing 100 million to support around 70,000 places in employment-focused activity for those out of work or under notice of redundancy. 3 million of this investment is planned to support 2,200 learners on response to redundancy programmes in Derbyshire.
	Nationally, we also spend 210 million per year on informal adult learning, which can be delivered through a range of local providers.
	The former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills published the Learning Revolution White Paper in March 09 which sets out a cross-Government strategy for informal learning in the 21st Century, with 30 million additional spend in 2009-10.
	Further, for 2009-10 we are providing 21.5 million to support the key role that trade union and their union learning representatives can play in driving up demand for learning and skills in the workplace.

Aviation: Government Assistance

Mark Todd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the home country rule in relation to the provision of financial support on aircraft sales.

Ian Lucas: To date I have not had any discussions with my EU counterparts on the so called home country rule in relation to the provision of financial support on aircraft sales.

Basic Skills

John Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the use of languages other than English and Welsh in advertising skills courses.

Kevin Brennan: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills do not advertise skills courses.
	Responsibility for advertising skills courses rest with the colleges or course providers.

Basic Skills

David Anderson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase skills levels amongst 18 to 24 year-olds.

Kevin Brennan: We now have the highest-ever level of young adults participating in learning. We are taking a joined-up approach across government to ensure that all young adults have the skills they need to obtain a meaningful job with prospects.
	Young adults up to the age of 25 are entitled to provision leading up to and including a full Level 3 qualification, which can be taken up through a wide range of learning provision. We are also widening participation in higher education, to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit from HE are able and willing to do so.
	Government have rescued and expanded apprenticeships over the last 10 years. We are providing over 1 billion of investment in apprenticeships for young people and adults in this financial year, supporting over 250,000 starts.
	The Budget announced a guaranteed offer of pre-employment training places for young people age 18-24 who have been unemployed for 12 months. Over 120 million of new money will be available in England and the whole package is worth 1.7 billion. 83 million is also available to fund an extra 75,000 new work-focused training opportunities for those who have been unemployed for six months or more.
	Young people over 18 on out-of-work benefits are already subject to conditionality, and we are working with the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver an integrated employment and skills service so that those on benefits will be given extra help to gain the skills they need and to find work. The service includes early skills screening of 18 to 24-year-olds, piloting of mandatory skills health checks, as well as basic skills and job-focused provision. We are also creating a new adult advancement and careers service offering information, advice and guidance.

Better Regulation Executive and Local Better Regulation Office: Pay

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much and what proportion of the annual budget for the  (a) Better Regulation Executive and  (b) Local Better Regulation Office has been spent on staff costs in each year since inception.

Ian Lucas: The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) was established in May 2005. The staff costs were 4.6 million in 2005/06 (85 per cent. of total spend); 5.6 million in 2006/07 (88 per cent.); 6.4 million in 2007/08 (94 per cent.); and 6.0 million in 2008/09 (87 per cent.).
	The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) was established in September 2007. The staff costs were 0.8 million in 2007/08 and 1.7 million in 2008/09. Staff costs accounted for 50 per cent. and 37 per cent. of total spend respectively.
	The 2007/08 LBRO figures account for a partial financial year from September 2007-March 2008 and reflect the fact that LBRO was not yet fully staffed.
	Staff costs include salaries and other costs directly associated with staff in post.

Building Colleges for the Future Programme

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the capacity of  (a) the Skills Funding Agency,  (b) the Young People's Learning Agency and  (c) local authorities to continue the system for prioritising further education capital projects once they take on functions of the Learning and Skills Council.

Kevin Brennan: The structures that will come into place following the dissolution of the LSC have been designed to ensure all the organisations have the capacity to discharge their responsibilities including those related to capital projects. We are working closely with the LSC to ensure a smooth transition and it is taking forward a transition plan to implement shadow structures by September 2009.

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what steps his Department has taken to adapt to climate change in the last two years;
	(2)  what steps his Department has taken to adapt to climate change in 2009 to date.

David Lammy: All Departments are actively involved in the cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme, which aims to help society adapt to climate change. The role of the programme is to develop and provide a comprehensive evidence base including adaptation tools, to raise awareness of the need to adapt, to measure success and to work across Government at all levels to embed adaptation. Further details about the programme's work can be found at
	www.defra.gov.uk/adaptation.
	As well as working together to tackle issues that affect all departments and their work, each Government Department is adapting to climate change in its own operations and policies.
	Over the last two years DIUS has built upon the sustainable action plan, which sets out how the Department contributes to addressing climate change. A Science and Innovation White Paper has been published, including proposals on fostering private and public sector innovation which will help to identify technological and social solutions needed for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
	DIUS has supported the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council in putting sustainability at the centre of their investment strategies.
	DIUS has funded the Research Councils' Living with Environmental Change (LWEC) initiative, a programme to increase resilience to and reduce costs of, environmental change, addressing the associated pressures on natural resources, ecosystem services, economic growth and social progress.
	DIUS has also supported the Research Councils' Energy Programme, bringing together energy-related research and training across the councils to address climate change and security of energy supply and to implement the Science and Innovation White Paper proposals on fostering private and public sector innovation.

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minster of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of his Department's potential gross  (a) costs and  (b) savings arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years.

David Lammy: It is not currently possible to provide estimates of the potential costs and savings over the next three years. It has, however, been shown in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change that timely and well-targeted climate adaptation measures will yield benefits in excess of their costs. The main rationale for investment to address climate risk will be to reduce the UK's vulnerability to longer-term climate change impacts.
	The Government are undertaking a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Economic Analysis, which will provide estimates of the costs and benefits of adaptation to the UK. This analysis will be presented to Parliament within three years of the Climate Change Act coming in to force.

Consumer Credit: Licensing

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies whose consumer credit licence had expired were still trading while awaiting a decision on renewal of the licence in each month since January 1997; and for how long on average each such company had been waiting in each of those months.

Kevin Brennan: The OFT does not routinely hold all the data requested.
	In accordance with section 29 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, licences submitted for renewal prior to their expiry date will continue in force until the OFT decision on its application and, if there is an appeal against the OFT decision, until the appeals process is completed.
	Since December 2008, when the OFT established a dedicated team to process and allocate high-risk credit applications, the average processing time for high risk renewal applications has been 59 working days from the date the application was received. This is in line with the OFT's target of processing 75 per cent. of applications within 90 days.

Consumer Credit: Licensing

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the maximum length of time is that a company which requires a consumer credit licence may continue to trade without a licence while awaiting a decision from the Office of Fair Trading on licence renewal.

Kevin Brennan: No business may legally engage in Consumer Credit Act regulated activities without a consumer credit licence.
	In accordance with section 29 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, licences submitted for renewal prior to their expiry date will continue in force until the OFT decision on its application and, if there is an appeal against the OFT decision, until the appeals process is completed.
	The OFT aims to process 75 per cent. of applications for high risk category activities within 90 days. Cases where further investigation is required or where regulatory action such as the imposition of requirements is considered appropriate will take more than 90 days.

Data Service

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the functions of the Data Service are in relation to the provision of information for further education; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The Data Service was announced in the FE Reform White Paper in March 2006 and launched in April 2008 to become the single authoritative source of data for post-16 further education, with sole responsibility for its collection and dissemination.
	It is an independently managed entity, formed from and still within the Learning and Skills Council. It is responsible for providing a service to the whole FE Sector and reports to a steering group with representation from across the FE sector.
	The Data Service brings together a range of functions related to data collection and dissemination and is building to a mature service able to support all data collection and primary dissemination activities required for the academic year 2010-11. The Data Service collects a range of information including data from providers on learners and learning aims, for operational purposes. Data includes information on learners in FE colleges, Train to Gain and Apprenticeships collected via the Individualised Learner Record.
	The Data Service works closely with the Department on the production and dissemination of publicly available statistical information, including a series of National Statistics publications, the most recent of which was released on 26 March 2009:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfrmar09/

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many notifications his Department made to the Information Commissioner in the year ended 30 April 2009 in respect of the loss or mishandling of personal information or data; what was notified in each such case; and how many individuals were the subjects of personal information or data in respect of which such notifications were made.

Kevin Brennan: None.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2009,  Official Report, column 697W, on departmental training, which Minister took part in  (a) training on the European Union,  (b) training on Cabinet Committees,  (c) foreign language lessons and  (d) media training; what each course involved; when each course took place; and what the total cost of each session was.

Kevin Brennan: Identifying Ministers who undertake training would, or would be likely to, discourage participation in future training sessions, acting as a disincentive for Ministers to undertake formal professional development.
	The Cabinet Committee and European Union courses incurred no cost to the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills. The short briefing session on each topic was delivered by the National School of Government in September 2008. The first covered an overview of cabinet committee processes. The EU session similarly looked at structures, processes hierarchy and the relationship with Whitehall.
	The foreign language lessons have cost 1,343 to date. These lessons in Italian have taken place weekly since October 2008.
	The media training course involved two sessions in April 2008. The overall cost for the two sessions was 1,276. The course looked at developing skills to communicate the Minister's remit in a particular area.
	All of these courses were one-to-one sessions delivered to Ministers.

Education: Civil Service Agencies

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the final  (a) administrative,  (b) recruitment,  (c) staffing,  (d) building,  (e) ICT and  (f) marketing and advertising costs of establishing the (i) Skills Funding Agency, (ii) Young People's Learning Agency, (iii) National Apprenticeship Service and (iv) Adult Advancement and Careers Service; and what such costs had been incurred on the latest date for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: In designing the new structures we are working to an administration budget which is set at the same level as the LSC currently operates within. There will be some short term costs associated with the transition to the new arrangements, and work is ongoing to provide robust estimates of these.
	Ensuring that staff transfers are consistent with TUPE, Cabinet Office guidance and employment legislation will cost roughly 3 million. We also estimate it will cost around 2 million to 3 million to secure broad comparability of pensions.
	On premises, initial modelling indicates that the cost of reducing the estate size could be around 32 million, but that annual savings of up to 17 million could be achieved thereafter.
	The exact costs will depend on a range of factors and the LSC is drawing up a strategy to identify the most cost effective option for each part of the estate. We also expect further savings to be realised through rationalisation of IT systems and better operation of shared services.
	There will be costs associated with advertising and recruitment of the new chief executive posts. For the chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service they were approximately 78,000. Recruitment of the chief executive of Skills Funding and the chief executive of the Young People's Learning Agency is still under way. Most other staff will transfer through an internal matching process. We do not anticipate a significant shortfall in numbers, and any associated recruitment costs are expected to be minimal.
	This Department, and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, are continuing to refine the transition costs as part of the detailed design work.

Exports: Government Assistance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many British businesses UK Trade and Investment have assisted in exporting for the first time in each of the last 36 months.

Ian Lucas: Data for the past three years are available from UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) Performance and Impact Monitoring Survey (PIMS). Results reported in March 2009 for the previous year confirm that UKTI assisted some 20,700 businesses to exploit opportunities in overseas markets. The survey sample indicates that some 2,200 of these were not yet exporting and some 3,500 had been exporting for less than two years, at the time of interview.
	Equivalent figures for the two previous years are:
	2007-08: some 15,900 businesses assisted, of which some 1,100 were not yet exporting and some 2,700 had been exporting for less than two years;
	2006-07: some 15,000 businesses assisted, of which some 1,200 were not yet exporting and some 2,400 had been exporting for less than two years.

Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions of the Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Kevin Brennan: In 2000, DTI published a report: Effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Copies of this were placed in the libraries of the House. The report showed that, at a conservative estimate, the Regulations had saved at least 710 lives (1,860 when additional factors are taken into consideration) and prevented at least 5,770 injuries from 1988 to 1997. In March this year, this Department commissioned Greenstreet Berman Ltd. to research the current effectiveness of the regulations. Their report should be completed by autumn 2009.

Higher Education: Cleethorpes

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many residents of Cleethorpes constituency were in higher education in  (a) 1997-98 and  (b) 2007-08.

David Lammy: The latest available information is shown in the table. Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
	
		
			  Enrolments( 1)  from Cleethorpes parliamentary constituency( 2)  UK higher education institutions academic years 1997/98 and 2007/08 
			  Academic year  Enrolments 
			 1997/98 1,685 
			 2007/08 1,920 
			 (1) Covers undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled on full-time and part-time courses. (2) Parliamentary constituency is defined by full and valid home postcodes recorded on the HESA student record.  Note: Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Learning and Skills Council

Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills who from his Department attended the reviews between Ministers and the Learning and Skills Council's Chairman and Chief Executive held on  (a) 16 June 2008,  (b) 21 October 2008 and  (c) 16 December 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Review meetings are held jointly with the Department for Children Schools and Families. Each meeting is chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further Education, and attended by the director of the Department's Learning and Skills Performance Directorate. Other Ministers and officials from both Departments also attend depending on the agenda.

Learning and Skills Council

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2009,  Official Report, column 672W, on the Learning and Skills Council, how much each lease held by the  (a) Learning and Skills Council and  (b) Higher Education Funding Council for England cost in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The following table illustrates the lease paid from April 2008 to March 2009 for each building occupied by the Learning and Skills Council and Higher Education Funding Council.
	
		
			  April 2008-March 2009 
			   Lease paid (excluding VAT) 
			  The Learning and Skills Council  
			 Woburn Court, 2 Railton Road, Woburn Road Ind Estate, Kempston, MK42 7PN 51,000 
			 Pacific House, Imperial Way, Reading, RG2 0TF 303,996 
			 NTI Building, 15 Bartholomew Row, Birmingham, B5 5JU 526,590 
			 Units 6 and 7 Castle Court, 2 Castlegate Business Park, Dudley, DY1 4RD 69,344 
			 Provincial House, 25 Oxford Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8EY 143,650 
			 Stuart House, St Johns Street, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 5DD 160,445 
			 Dalton House, Dalton Way, Middlewich, CW10 0HU 25,272 
			 Allergate House, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Durham, DH1 1TW 125,000 
			 Oak Tree Court, Binley Business Park, Harry Weston Road, Coventry, CV3 2UN 176,375 
			 Venture/Progress House, Regents Court, Guard Street, Workington, CA14 4EW 73,000 
			 1 Mallard Way, Pullman Business Park, Derby, DE24 8GX 49,000 
			 Foliot House, Budshead Road, Plymouth, PL6 5XR 165,000 
			 Penhaligon House, Princes Street, Truro, TR1 1DZ 50,400 
			 Richmond Court, Emperor Way, Exeter Business Park, Exeter, EX1 3QS 21,250 
			 Redwing House, Hedgerows Business Park, Colchester Road, Chelmsford, CM2 5PB 288,270 
			 Conway House, 33-35 Worcester Street, Gloucester, GL1 3AJ 198,750 
			 Eagle Point, Segensworth, Fareham, P015 5TD 285,500 
			 5 Brook Court, Whittington Hall, Whittington Road, Worcester, WR5 2ZX 72,269 
			 Grosvenor Road, 45 Grosvenor Road, St Albans, AL1 3 AW 940,705 
			 4 Earls Court, Henry Boot Way, Hull, HU4 7DY 52,149 
			 26 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mailing, ME19 4AE 180,000 
			 Citigate, Longridge Road, Preston, PR2 5BQ 52,300 
			 17a Meridian East, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LEI9 1UU 208,949 
			 Alpha Court, Unit IB, Alpha Court Business Park, Kingsley Road, Lincoln, LN6 3TA 40,625 
			 Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DR 1,062,748 
			 Boardman House, 64 The Broadway, Stratford, London, El5 INT 232,115 
			 Dumayne House, 1 Fox Lane, Palmers Green, London, N13 4AB 295,610 
			 Canius House, 1 Scarbrook Road, Croydon, CRO 1SQ 269,000 
			 Central House, 3 Lampton Road, Hounslow, TW3 1HY 235,345 
			 Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 3AQ 423,580 
			 The Plaza, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9QJ 87,372 
			 Latimer House, Langford Business Park, Langford Locks, Kidlington, 0X5 1GG 265,600 
			 Cheylesmore House North, Quinton Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV1 2WT 610,620 
			 Cheylesmore House South, Quinton Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV1 2WT 1,000,000 
			 Security House, Mile Lane, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV21 2NL 24,658 
			 Lakeside 500, Old Chapel Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich, NR7 OWG 52,650 
			 Royal Pavilion, Summerhouse Road, Moulton Park Ind Estate, Northampton, NN3 6BJ 266,500 
			 7 Pioneer Business Park, Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moorgate, York, YO30 4TN 97,465 
			 C/O MLS Business Centre, City Gate East, Toll House Hill, Nottingham, NGl 5FY 122,055 
			 Hollinswood House, Suite Gl, Stafford Court, Telford, TF3 3DD 24,300 
			 Kingston House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, TA1 2PX 48,527 
			 The Straddle, Victoria Quays, Wharf Street, Sheffield, S2 5SY 335,000 
			 Festival Way, Festival Park, Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 5TQ 69,700 
			 Felaw Makings, 42 Felaw Street, Ipswich, IP2 8SJ 133,925 
			 Technology House, 48-54 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6LE 178,416 
			 Princes House, 53 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XB 332,972 
			 Wynyard House, Wynyard Park, Billingham,TS22 5TB 65,088 
			 Moongate House, 5th Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NEl1 OHF 210,000 
			 St Lawrence House, 29-31 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2HF 261,472 
			 Mercury House, 4 Manchester Road, Bradford, BD5 OQL 422,000 
			 The Bora Building, Westlea Campus, Westlea Down, Swindon, SN5 7EZ 192,300 
			   
			  Higher Education Funding Council for England  
			 Northavon House, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QD 739,241 
			 12th Floor Centre Point 03 New Oxford Street LONDON WC1A 1DD 205,590

Manufacturing Industries

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of Bank of England interest rates on levels of manufacturing output in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Lucas: No assessment of the effects of Bank of England interest rates on levels of manufacturing output in each of the last 12 months.
	However, the reduction in the bank rate to a record low of 0.5 per cent. in March 2009, along with a 125 billion programme of quantitative easing, and fiscal support from both discretionary fiscal action and automatic stabilisers worth 4 per cent. of GDP in 2009-10, has formed part of a strong macroeconomic policy stimulus to the economy. These actions help provide the conditions for a UK economic recovery. The world economy is experiencing its first recession since the second world war, driven by the global financial crisis, and governments around the world have adopted similar policies to those in the UK to help encourage a return to growth.

Manufacturing Industries: Competition

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the competitiveness of manufacturing industry.

Ian Lucas: According to official ONS data, the UK manufacturing sector while suffering a sharp decrease in production, has not been worse affected during the current global recession than manufacturing in some other advanced economies. In the year to March 2009, manufacturing output fell by 12.7 per cent. in the UK, compared to falls of 35.0 per cent. in Japan, 22.9 per cent. in Germany, 17.7 per cent. in France, and by 14.9 per cent. in the US. In March and April 2009, some countries have seen manufacturing output increase on the month, including increases in the UK of 0.2 per cent. in both months.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications had been made for assistance under the automotive assistance programme on the latest date for which figures are available; how many payments had been made under the programme on the latest date for which figures are available; and how much had been paid under the scheme on that date.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 8 June 2009
	 We are currently in detailed discussions with a number of businesses about their applications for funding under the Automotive Assistance Programme (AAP).
	There have been more than 70 further requests for information on the scheme with the AAP team working with companies resulting in around 15 approaches being developed into detailed discussions with BIS for serious applications.
	The details are commercially sensitive and subject to agreement. However, some details about the support provided under the AAP will become available in due course.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to assist the automotive industries in the next 12 months.

Ian Lucas: The Automotive Assistance Package (AAP). The primary aim of this package of up to 2.3 billion is to support the continued delivery of investment that will create or sustain jobs, develop cutting-edge technology, bring special value to the UK, reduce CO2 emissions and maintain RD in UK vehicle manufacturing.
	In addition to the AAP, Government have taken a range of other actions to help secure the long-term future of the automotive sector in the UK. For instance, at the end of 2008, the UK Government helped secure 8 billion for the automotive industry from the European Investment Bank. Government have also provided considerable support for the development of skills and training in the automotive sector and continues to do so.
	Automotive firms are also eligible for wider Government support for businesses such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, the Working Capital Scheme and other Real Help for Business Local Business Links also provide a range of free business advice and support services.
	A scrappage scheme to help boost the automotive industry was announced in the Budget and operational from 18 May. The scheme will run until 28 February 2010 or until the Government funding runs out. 300 million of Government funding has been allocated, enough to provide up to 300,000 new vehicle sales.
	The industry led New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT) published its report last month. Key recommendations, aimed at both industry and Government, included the establishment of a joint industry/Government Automotive Council to develop and implement a long term strategic framework for the industry; and proposals to focus the UK automotive RD agenda around a new industry-consensus technology roadmap. The report also included more detailed subsidiary recommendations focussed around further improving the UK business environment and developing a stronger, more competitive supply chain. The Government's intention is to publish its formal response to the NAIGT report during the summer.

Motor Vehicles: West Midlands

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the car scrappage scheme in the West Midlands.

Ian Lucas: It is really too early to expect to see an impact by region.
	To date more than 60,000 new cars have been ordered via the car scrappage scheme. While we anticipate being able to give a breakdown of orders by region in due course, data are not yet available that would allow accurate regional figures to be provided.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the administration budget was for each non-departmental public body that receives funding from his Department in the last three years for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was formed in June 2007, following the Machinery of Government changes, as a result we are only able to provide information from 2007-08. The administration budget figures for NDPBs which receive funding from the Department are as follows:
	
		
			   Admin budget  20 07-08  Admin budget  20 08-09 
			 Copyright Tribunal 45,000 61,000 
			 Council for Science and Technology (1)150 (1)150 
			
			 Design Council   
			 Budget 4,332,000.7 2,878,000.4 
			 Actual 4,257,000.3 3,547,000.4 
			
			 HEFCE 9.099 million 11.360 million 
			
			 Investors in People UK 2.41million 2.385 million 
			 Pay 1.782 million 1.621 million 
			 Non-pay 628,000 764,000 
			
			 LSC 211 million (2)189 million 
			 Office for Fair Access 500,000 548,000 
			 Quality Improvement Agency 6 million (3)n/a 
			 Research Councils 101.74 million 106.48 million 
			 Sector Skills Development Agency 9.213 million (3)n/a 
			 Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP) n/a 250,000 
			 Student Loans Company 58.541 million 78,143,000 
			 Technology Strategy Board (4)29.877 million (5)29.889 million 
			 UKCES (6)0 8.444 million 
			 (1) Includes all expenses incurred by the council (2 )Unaudited/provisional figure until accounts published in July 2009 (3 )Ceased to exist from 2008-09 (4 )Includes 22.007 million relating to administrative support contracts (5 )Includes 18.745 million relating to administrative support contracts (6 )Set-up costs only

Overseas Students: Fees and Charges

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how much has been received by universities in fees from foreign students taught in higher education institutions in each year since 2006;
	(2)  when he plans to answer question 269161, tabled on 1 April 2009, on fees received from foreign students taught in higher education institutions.

David Lammy: The latest published information on course fees paid by non-EU domiciled students is shown in the table. This is the only centrally-held information available regarding institutions' income from foreign students. This is shown alongside the total income of higher education institutions in England.
	
		
			  Non-EU domiciled students HE course fees and total income English higher education institutions, academic year 2006/07 and 2007/08 
			 000 
			   Non-EU domiciled course fees  Total income 
			 2006/07 1,472,893 17,591,618 
			 2007/08 1,619,689 19,400,191 
			  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student finance record.

Press: Competition

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an assessment of the contracts  (a) awarded in the newspaper and magazine wholesale distribution market in the last six months and  (b) likely to be awarded in that market in the next six months for the purposes of monitoring levels of competitiveness in that market.

Kevin Brennan: It is for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), as the UK's independent competition authority, to consider such matters. I understand the OFT is aware of, and is actively monitoring recent developments in this market. It will carefully consider representations from interested parties about the potential for these to impact on competition. It will also take any such representations into account in the context of taking its final decision on whether to refer the newspaper and magazine supply sector to the Competition Commission for a market investigation. The public consultation on its draft decision not to make such a reference closed on 19 May.

Press: Competition

Mark Field: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions in the last month  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives of the Office of Fair Trading on the newspaper and magazine distribution market.

Kevin Brennan: Ministers have had no discussions with the OFT about this matter during the last month. Officials have similarly had no substantive discussions with the OFT on this issue though they have spoken with colleagues at the OFT about practical matters relating to my Noble Friend the Secretary of State's decision on the future of the statutory undertakings from newspaper wholesalers which was announced on 20 April. Officials have also sought input as necessary from the OFT in order to provide accurate responses to certain recent Parliamentary questions relating to the OFT's work on newspaper and magazine distribution issues.

Regulation: Public Consultation

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of suggestions received on the Better Regulation website identified a regulatory conflict in the last 12 months.

Ian Lucas: In the last financial year (2008-09), the Better Regulation Executive's website
	www.betterregulation.gov.uk
	received 270 ideas.
	Of these, 106 (39 per cent.) submitted indicated a 'Conflict in Regulations'.

Supermarkets

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with  (a) Tescos,  (b) Asda,  (c) Sainsbury's,  (d) Morrisons,  (e) Waitrose and  (f) The Co-op on the introduction of (i) a revised Groceries Supply Code of Practice and (ii) a supermarket ombudsman.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 12 May 2009
	 Ministers and BIS officials hold regular meetings with businesses to discuss a range of issues as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings. There have not been any recent meetings with the named grocery retailers specifically held to discuss the Competition Commission's (CC) proposals to strengthen the groceries supply code of practice (GSCOP), or to set up a GSCOP ombudsman.

Trading Schemes

Natascha Engel: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what definition his Department uses for a participant in a trading scheme in its publication The Trading Scheme Guide; what the basis in legislation is for  (a) the description of a participant contained in the guide,  (b) the key test as to who is not a participant applied in the guide and  (c) the test of independence of a participant applied in the guide; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 4 June 2009
	In issuing guidance the Department is not providing a definitive interpretation of the legislation as that is a matter for the courts. The Department provides guidance on statues in order to help business and consumers to understand whether a particular law applies to them or to their circumstances. This guidance is not a statement of the law, but is simply the Department's view of its meaning.
	The section of the Trading Schemes Guide referred to attempts to describe the nature of the organiser and participant relationship in trading schemes which are subject to the regime as set out in part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973, section 118 (1) (3) and (4). In this context, the relevant definition of participant is that in the Fair Trading Act 1973, section 118(8). The legislation regulating trading schemes include Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973 amended by the Trading Schemes Act 1996, the Trading Schemes Regulations 1997, Trading Scheme (Exclusion) Regulations 1997, Trading Schemes (Exclusion) (Amendment) Regulations 1997. The guide covers this legislation.

Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of  (a) males aged 16 to 18,  (b) females aged 16 to 18,  (c) males aged 19 to 24 and  (d) females aged 19 to 24 years were not in education, employment or training in the first quarter of each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: The following tables show estimates of people aged(1) 16 to 18 and 19 to 24 not in employment, education or training (NEET) in England. These estimates are from the quarter 1 Labour Force Survey (LFS) in all years that the required data are available.
	We are unable to provide NEET estimates back to 1997 from the LFS as all the data necessary to produce them are not available on datasets prior to quarter 2 2000. However for 16-18 year olds data are available from 1997 using the definitive source for this age group and are published annually in a DCSF Statistical First Release. The most recent release is due to be updated on 16 June 2009 and will be available at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000849/index.shtml.
	Data from the LFS for more recent periods up to quarter 4 2008 are available from official statistics last published by DCSF in February 2009 (see following link). These are due to be updated to include quarter 1 2009 on 23 June 2009.
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000751/index.shtml
	(1)Age used is the respondent's academic age, which is defined as their age at the preceding 31 August.
	
		
			  16 to 18 year olds not in employment education or training (NEET). 
			   Male NEET  %  Female NEET  % 
			 2001 91,000 10.1 78,000 9.2 
			 2002 100,000 10.8 88,000 9.9 
			 2003 108,000 11.3 90,000 10.0 
			 2004 101,000 10.5 88,000 9.6 
			 2005 106,000 10.8 98,000 10.4 
			 2006 128,000 12.9 97,000 10.3 
			 2007 122,000 12.1 90,000 9.6 
			 2008 101,000 10.1 92,000 9.7 
			  Source: Labour Force Survey, quarter 1  Base: 16 to 18 year olds, England 
		
	
	
		
			  19 to 24 year olds not in employment education or training (NEET). 
			   Male NEET  %  Female NEET  % 
			 2001 173,000 10.2 330,000 19.1 
			 2002 190,000 11.1 323,000 18.6 
			 2003 199,000 11.3 333,000 18.9 
			 2004 179,000 9.8 310,000 17.1 
			 2005 205,000 10.9 334,000 18.1 
			 2006 216,000 11.3 360,000 19.2 
			 2007 249,000 12.6 367,000 18.8 
			 2008 256,000 12.6 361,000 18.3 
			  Source : Labour Force Survey, quarter 1  Base: 19 to 24 year olds, England

Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of people aged 16 to 24 years old were not in education, employment and training in the first quarter of each year for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The following table shows estimates of people aged(1) 16 to 24 not in employment, education or training (NEET) in England. The earliest estimates are from the quarter 1 2001 Labour Force Survey (LFS), the earliest quarter 1 for which figures are available.
	Data from the LFS for more recent periods up to quarter 4 2008 are available from official statistics last published by DCSF in February 2009 (see following link). These are due to be updated to include quarter 1 2009 on 23 June 2009.
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000751/index.shtml
	
		
			  16 to 24 year olds not in employment, education or training (NEET). 
			  Q1  NEET  Percentage ) 
			 2001 671,000 13.0 
			 2002 701,000 13.3 
			 2003 729,000 13.6 
			 2004 677,000 12.3 
			 2005 743,000 13.1 
			 2006 801,000 14.0 
			 2007 828,000 14.1 
			 2008 810,000 13.6 
			 (1) Age used is the respondent's academic age, which is defined as their age at the preceding 31 August.  Source: Labour Force Survey, quarter 1  Base : 16 to 24 year olds, England

Yes Loans

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  for what reason Yes Loans has been allowed to continue trading after its consumer credit licence expired in June 2008;
	(2)  when a decision will be made on the renewal of Yes Loans' consumer credit licence.

Kevin Brennan: Yes Loans' licence did not expire in June 2008. Yes Loans submitted a valid application to renew its consumer credit licence before the licence was due to expire. In accordance with section 29 of the Consumer Credit Act, the licence continues in force until the OFT reaches a decision on its application and, if there is an appeal against the OFT decision, until the appeals process is completed.
	The OFT is aware of concerns and has been working with Yes Loans in considering certain matters relating to its business practices. However I am sure you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter while a review is still under way.